On Friday, my former manager called and told me that the bean counters and real estate moguls had finally signed the lease on the building at Rocket. I've been through so many waves of emotions over the last year that frankly when he called it seemed somewhat anti-climactic. I didn't cry, cheer, or anything really. I ran out of those emotions months ago.
The kids didn't bowl this weekend, but we did have a notap tournament so I have been letting people know as I see them, or email them, or whatever I can do to let them know.
The saddest thing is our manager is still at the other center, so we're forced to rebuild with a new leader. Hopefully he sees what I do as valuable and understands the need for a great youth program.
But the beautiful part is that with a five-year lease, my son will graduate from juniors at Rocket Lanes, and by the time we need to worry about this again, Zoe will be entering junior high. By then, I know I won't have the stomach to do it again, so either they sign the lease quickly or turn the building into a Jamba Juice, because I won't be able to relive the last few months without therapy and sedatives. I know bowling centers are going the way of the dinosaur, but it's a lot more difficult to watch as it happens to the people you know. It was harder this time than when Conejo closed. And I won't be able to do it again.
I still plan to have an "alumni" tournament this spring, but honestly it will now be a happy occasion rather than a sad one. And the Saturday kids can start planning their teams with big and little kids mixed in together. And now when I mention that Zoe and her friends on bumpers are ready to come off in June, I won't have to wonder where they'd actually be bowling those bumperless games.
So at least one bowling center this year won't be turned into a car lot, or a book store, or a grocery store, or whatever store d'jour might be.
Gotta split,
Angel
Posted by Angel Zobel-Rodriguez at February 20, 2007 05:45 PM