Canada’s oldest bowling alley keeps rolling along in Vancouver

The sounds of bowling balls striking down pins reverberate throughout the historic Commodore Lanes on a busy weekday morning.

Dozens of bowlers have gathered for the Golden Age League, lacing up the blue-and-brown shoes while catching up on each other’s lives in between frames.

Like the participants of the weekday league, Canada’s oldest surviving recreation centre continues to thrive on Granville Street in Downtown Vancouver.

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“Bowling is as popular as ever,” said Commodore Lanes manager and bowling club organizer Ken Hayden, who has been involved in the community for 47 years. “I think there are very few community places where people of all ages and all abilities can enjoy so much fun together.

“It’s challenging and fun. Bowling is a great sport because you play as a team but you are also trying to improve as a bowler. So you’re also competing against yourself.”

According to Cinny W., one of the league’s bowlers and the newest manager at Commodore Lanes, the exact day and year that the Vancouver bowling centre opened is a bit of a mystery.

While the Lanes’ website states that Commodore Bowling & Billiards opened on September 8, 1930, as a place where “Pleasant Days May Be Spent,” it may have opened its doors years earlier.

“There are several articles that state the lanes opened in September 1930,” Cinny told Daily Hive. “However, we have photos of the lanes open before 1928. Unfortunately, we have been unable to find a record of the five bowling centers that Thomas Ryan opened after inventing five-pin bowling in 1909.

“There are pictures of the lanes under the name Commodore Recreations in the archives. However, we have not solved this mystery yet.”

Commodore Lanes offers 12 lanes of five-pin bowling, 20 billiard tables, electronic dart machines, and one foosball table. It also hosts adult and senior leagues for bowlers of all ages and abilities and would like to one day host a bowling league for children and youth.

Mary, who has bowled for seven years in the Golden Age League, encourages others to join in the fun.

“It’s a nice way to spend one or two mornings a week,” she said. “You can come have a coffee, a cookie, and get some friendly competition with a nice bunch of people.

“We’ve got all levels of players so come and enjoy yourself. We’re not really competitive, we just have fun and get some mild exercise too.”

Hayden summed up the Commodore Lanes experience as nostalgic, sharing that guests are amazed by the colourful murals and the welcoming experience that the bowling centre offers seven days a week.

“We believe that Commodore Lanes has remained open because every owner has truly cared about the customers and their experience,” added Cinny. “They wanted to preserve and keep five-pin bowling going for generations of bowlers. It’s cool to see how they have stayed connected in the bowling community.

“We’re also thankful for everyone’s support and for keeping on coming to bowl with us.”

Cinny asked that anyone with historic photos of Commodore Lanes reach out to share them.

Commodore Lanes

Address: 838 Granville Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-681-1531