OAHT 1524: The Bowling Era
According to local writer Chuck Delsman, during the 1950’s into the 1970’s, Oconomowoc might have been the bowling capital of Wisconsin. There were no fewer than five local places to bowl, all of which did a good business.
At one time there were Classic Lanes (Plank Road Bowl, Deer Park) Oconomowoc (24 lanes), Okauchee Bowl (eight lanes), Main Lanes downtown Oconomowoc (four lanes), Enters downtown Oconomowoc (four lanes) Radtke's Recreation in Ashippun (four lanes) and Mapleway Bowl in the Town of Oconomowoc (eight lanes). Only Mapleway Bowl remains open. In addition to the Bowling Alleys open to the public, there were several residents in the Oconomowoc area that had their own bowling lanes in their homes.
While the bowling business in Oconomowoc is down about 85 percent from the busy years in the 1970s and 80s, the eight-lane Mapleway Bowl on the west side of town is flourishing.
What has been the biggest reason bowling centers are struggling in the area these days? It's not just one reason.The cost to bowl has gone up significantly and certainly the tougher drinking and driving laws have affected the sport. The no-smoking ban also has taken away some bowlers from each center. And there are just a lot more activities to do for parents and families these days, whether it be the explosion of youth sports, school activities or today's high-tech world of computers.
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