Don’t expect five-pin bowling to become a recreational option at the Canada Games Centre anytime soon.

At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Dan Curtis reiterated his stance the city won’t be taking over bowling lanes when the only bowling alley in town – Mad Trapper Alleys – closes in May.

Coun. Kirk Cameron also joined Curtis in emphasizing that bowling in the city has always operated as a private enterprise.

The comments came following a presentation by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yukon executive director Harold Sher who has been calling on the city to operate a bowling facility since the impending closure of the local alley was announced in October.

The organization’s largest fund-raising event is the annual Bowl For Kids Sake which raises approximately 20 per cent of the group’s operating costs for the year.

Joined in council chambers with a number of seniors who regularly use the bowling lanes, Sher said bowling is a competitive, recreational activity used by a variety of groups ranging from seniors to youth of all physical abilities along with the many casual users.

He asked council to imagine what would happen if the rinks in town burned, leaving hockey players and figure skaters with no place to play or practise their sport.

It’s unlikely the city would tell them to wait for a private enterprise to come to town and build a new arena.

That’s exactly what’s happening with the bowling alley, Sher said. He pointed out chances are in the case of an arena, the city would likely rebuild and subsidize its use.

While Sher highlighted his group’s interest in having a bowling alley for the fund-raising event, he also noted it serves as a “wonderful” venue for Big Brothers and Big Sisters to spend time with their Little Brothers and Little Sisters.

He argued the city could at least determine the costs associated with either taking over the bowling alley or moving the lanes to the Canada Games Centre. Similar to Watson Lake, the city could incorporate the lanes into its recreation complex.

Once the capital cost is paid, he suggested the operational costs could be covered by user fees.

Sher noted while the lanes have deteriorated over the years, they have been able to keep going as long as they have thanks to manager Stephen Kwok’s handi-work maintaining the system.

The current lanes are nearing the end of their lifespan and both Kwok along with building owner Chris Sorg have said the maintenance is becoming too onerous.

It’s estimated overhauling the lanes would cost six figures, though Sorg has said if the city wanted to add some lanes to the Games Centre they could do so at no charge.

Curtis reminded Sher Monday night the city doesn’t have the space or funds to add bowling lanes to its recreational offerings.

The Games Centre does offer lawn bowling, he noted, pointing out that there are more than 300 groups and organizations the city deals with that all offer great value to the community.

In addition to supporting various groups through grants and such, subsidizing facilities like the Canada Games Centre and delivering basic services such as water and sewer, the city can’t take on the operation of bowling lanes, the mayor said.

Curtis, who lives near the bowling alley in Riverdale, said the closure “will be a great loss” for the community as he recalled bowling there many times with his family and stated his hope someone in the private sector will come forward to take over the business.

Cameron, meanwhile, recalled a number of bowling alleys in the city’s history, noting they were all operated by the private sector. He went on to question whether Mad Trapper Alleys may need a different business model to operate.

For now though, it appears the only bowling alley in the city will close next May.