Bowling alley steps uncertain

The 30-day period to terminate the lease at Riverview Lanes is almost up and the town of Coulee Dam is unsure of what it will do next.

The town owns the building the bowling alley is in and recently served notice to the operators that their lease would be terminated for lack of payments to the town.

The lease agreement with the town called for monthly payments of $450 from May through September and $675 from October through April.

The town says the tenant is four months behind on rent and utilities, totaling $2,278.

The building also houses the Melody Restaurant, the fire department, and a former movie theater.

Town officials put their own lock on the door after operator Sherry Moore failed to open the bowling alley for a month and utility bills owed to the town were unpaid. Moore owed three months of lease payments to the town, the council learned before making its decision to terminate the lease.

Since that time, Moore has moved to the Spokane area.

Mayor Greg Wilder and town Clerk Stefani Bowden said the issue lies with the town’s attorney as to what the next step will be.

It was pointed out that at some time in the near future an attempt will be made to designate dates when people can come in and get their bowling balls and items from their lockers. That date hasn’t been set.

Moore purchased the business from Pat and Sara Zlateff about a year ago.

Prospects to re-open the eight-alley business appear bleak.