Laurentian Lanes Bowling

A shift took place in the bowling world in the late ’50s. For decades, pin boys manually reset the pins after each frame. Irving Grundman knew the future was with automatic bowling centres, and Montreal didn’t have one. He started Laurentian Lanes as a 48-lane duckpin centre in 1959. “It was popular right from the beginning,” boasts Irving’s son, Howard, who now runs the centre. “With all the changes and modernization the place has gone through, it’s still a modern and up-to-date bowling centre. We’re the premiere centre for members of the public and leagues because of the condition of our lanes, our service and our equipment.”

Laurentian Lanes converted to 10-pin bowling in the mid-’60s and expanded the facility from 48 lanes to 66. The same iconic giant bowling pin and ball that was designed back then remains on the bowling centre’s roof today. Laurentian Lanes has built its reputation through keeping its facility well-maintained and hosting major tournaments that have attracted a TV audience. “Part of our reputation comes from the fact that we produced half a dozen bowling shows with huge tournaments,” says Howard. “Leagues and tournaments have led to our credibility with the bowling crowd. That’s spilled over to the general population. People know it’s not only a serious bowling centre, but also a fun bowling centre.”