Whitehorse residents with bowling ambitions have scored a strike.

The city’s recently shuttered bowling alley will re-open part time, beginning next weekend.

Mad Trapper Alleys in Riverdale closed in May, with manager Stephen Kwok citing financial woes and aging equipment as major factors.

But Kwok said yesterday that the demand for bowling remains in the Yukon capital, and he will attempt to keep the alley afloat for at least one more season.

“It’s a shame if I shut it down when I know it could be running,” he said.

He made the decision to re-open the 10-lane five-pin facility on a part-time schedule last month.

“Every time I heard the disappointment (from bowlers), I had heartbroken feelings,” Kwok said. “I feel sorry for both of us – them and me.”

The alley’s doors will open again at 6 p.m. next Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, bowling can begin as early as 1 p.m.

Before then, the facility’s aged machinery is slated for a tune-up.

“A Unitech rep will perform CPR either on the machinery, or me,” said the ever-smiling Kwok.

With the alley open weekends only, league play will not continue, aside from Special Olympics games that take place Saturday afternoons.

Kwok plans to see how long the lanes will last, noting being open fewer hours may preserve them a little longer than originally expected. He said it would take a major catastrophe for all 10 lanes to go down at once.

The 60-year-old urged bowling enthusiasts to book ahead by calling 668-4277, especially for functions such as birthday parties. He will consider opening on weeknights for large private groups.

Kwok has managed the bowling alley since 2002, and continues to run the neighbouring pub and video store alongside his wife, Irene.

“After 12 years of marriage, it’s hard to get a divorce,” he chuckled of his relationship to the bowling alley.

He noted that the facility would not have re-opened without the help of the plaza’s landlord, Chris Sorg, who agreed to rework the alley’s lease.