Whitehorse was without a bowling alley for a couple of months, but on Wednesday afternoon, the grand opening of Northern Lights Bowling was held.

The old space, formerly known as Mad Trapper Alleys, has undergone a complete makeover. Gone are the tattered shoes and the outdated carpet and paint job.

Instead, upon walking in, patrons will see a stylish modern space. The lanes are new and sleek, new blue and red balls were ordered and the shoes freshly polished. On the far wall, by lane number one, there is an impressive mural.

Mad Trapper owner Steven Kwok ran the bowling alley for 15 years but was unsure about its future. That is, until he found two partners from China, Fido Chen and Larry Yan.

Chen said he hopes people in the community will enjoy the new alley.

"I hope most of the people are interested and happy to know there is a new bowling alley here," said Chen. "I'm very grateful."

Chen was thankful to the contractors and designers who helped make their vision a reality.

"The designer and contractor they worked very hard for us," said Chen. "Thank you very much to them."

Yan said he and Chen have been partners in the bowling alley for five months, and talked about the alley's new look.

"We needed a modern space in Whitehorse," said Yan. "A new design, something more clear and the youth will like."

He believes it is a space that all Yukoners will enjoy.

"I hope they come here and say, 'awesome, I like it,’" said Yan.

Mayor Dan Curtis dropped in to address the crowd at the grand opening.

"I was just saying money is so liquid and it's interesting to see resources go anywhere," said Curtis. "You can make money anywhere in Canada, anywhere in the world.

"It just does my heart good to see so many people that are so interested and love this community, this city, this territory as much as Steve and his partners do."

Curtis said he expected "the alley to be good, but I had no idea it would be this good." As a fan of bowling, Curtis said he tries to bowl in cities he travels too.

"I can remember when this place first opened, I had already been bowling somewhat in the downtown, but this is state of the art," said Curtis. "Anywhere I go, I try and bowl because I love it so much. I can't imagine a place nicer anywhere that I've been in Canada."

Curtis said he was surprised by the work because he never saw anybody around the alley when it was closed.

"I don't know how you did it," said Curtis. "You must have been doing it at midnight or something. To be frank, to be fair, to be honest, I thought maybe you repainted the walls, redid the carpet. I had no idea it would be to this magnitude.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you so very much for believing in our community. I know it's going to be reciprocal."

When the formalities were over, everyone there took a lane and aimed at the five pins to take the first shots of the new alley.

Northern Lights Bowling will be open to the public on Friday. Yan said there will be league play, as well, in the future, they are looking to add karaoke to the venue.