A.J. Bowling Alley reopening Oct. 12

A.J.’s Lanes in Bonners Ferry tentatively plans to reopen on Saturday, Oct. 12.

“I’m crossing my fingers,” said owner Alan Jeppesen, who woke up on June 10 to find portions of his bowling alley under 6 inches of water.

What followed was a cleanup and the installation of new lanes, carpeting, ball returns and score-keeping monitors. Repairs to the nearly 55-year-old bowling alley are expected to cost $300,000 to $400,000.

Jeppesen, who has living quarters there, discovered the water damage when he got up that day to make coffee.

The leak is believed to have occurred from the 1 1/2-inch main waterline to the building. Pumps and Shop Vacs were used to remove water, and six electric heaters were set up to dry the area. In addition, there was about a foot of water underneath the lanes.

Initial estimates on the damage were $500,000 to $800,000. That was assuming the foundation needed replaced. It did not.

“We had to dry out the foundation and put mold and fungus spray on it,” Jeppesen said.

The Roundup, which is the bowling alley's restaurant and lounge, was not damaged by water and remained open until the construction on the bowling alley started in early August.

Gary Wycoff, a professional lane and machine installer for AMF from Newman Lake, Wash., is overseeing and doing the project.

“He’s doing fabulous work,” Jeppesen said.

He has owned the bowling alley for 17 years and is selling it on a lease agreement to John and Carol Nelson. The bowling alley was built in 1954.