Plainfield bowling alley to change ownership

PLAINFIELD – Pioneer Lanes Family Recreation Center, a longtime fixture in Plainfield, is set to change ownership and operate under a new name by the end of March.

Kevin Lauterbach and his family have been operating Pioneer Lanes, 15610 S. Joliet Road, since taking over in May 2000.

But after rough times with the opening of Romeoville Brunswick Zone XL in June 2006 and the economic downturn in 2008, the property was foreclosed, forcing Lauterbach to cease operations in two weeks.

A new prospective owner is working with the village to obtain occupancy permits and hopes to close the sale of the property soon, opening by the end of the month.

“We hope to have it fully operational by March 31,” said Jon Dow, a Georgia-based bowling alley owner who couldn’t give details on specific changes until sale closure. “It’ll continue to operate as it is currently. But we’ll have to look at renaming it and other changes later after it’s final.”

The lanes are expected to close for a week through the ownership transition process.

“It’s just bad news,” Lauterbach said, adding that the loss of ownership of the bowling alley feels like losing a member of the family. “It hurts. But we’ll continue to operate, host bowling teams until March 23.”

Lauterbach said local bowling leagues and area high schools have been using Pioneer Lanes for several years. The facility is located in the same block as the Plainfield School District 202 administration building.

“We’re very grateful to the [Lauterbach] family,” said Tom Hernandez, the community relations director for the school district. “They have been wonderful partners for our bowling teams and physical education department.”

Hernandez said the district will look to work with new owners to continue the partnership it had with the Lauterbachs.

Crest Hill resident Ruth Valle said the relationship with Lauterbach and his family will be missed.

“It’s a shame they’re going to be gone,” Valle said, adding that the prices under Lauterbach were reasonable. “They are phenomenal people.”

Valle, who competes in the Party Animals bowling league at Pioneer Lanes, said the league has considered cutting the bowling season short if the facility closes.

Dow operates Marne Bowling Center in Fort Stewart, Ga., and said his motivation for buying the bowling alley was to prevent it from shutting down and to be closer to family in Chicago.

“It’s important to continue area bowling,” said Dow, who will next week release more information on changes to the facility. “I wouldn’t want to see the lanes close down.”