‘Sad and pissed off’: Martin’s Bowling knocked down for cancelled Hamilton LRT
Jim Pappas always knew it would hurt to watch his life's work at Martin's Bowling smashed into rubble.
But he said looking at the half-demolished remains of the beloved King Street East bowling alley on Monday was worse, somehow, when you think it was all for nothing."
The 54-year-old was forced to sell the iconic, old-school bowling alley to Metrolinx in 2018 because it was in the way of Hamilton's planned light rail transit line - a project the province controversially killed a year later over budget woes.
By that time, Metrolinx had already bought 60 properties for $80 million. Despite the cancellation, the transit agency is razing 23 of the vacant buildings over safety and security concerns. Spokesperson Matt Llewellyn said 13 buildings have come down so far, with demolition now underway at the bowling alley.
It's tough. I'm sad and pissed off about it," said Pappas, who has worked in the bowling alley since the late 1970s. It's such a waste ... How do you kick people out years in advance for a project you're not even sure you're going ahead with?"
It is still possible light rail will be revived as a project along King Street. Pappas is skeptical, but would like to think something good will come out of his loss, whether it be better transit or affordable housing.
The province is reviewing task force recommendations to build either LRT or bus rapid transit on the same route. Tory Premier Doug Ford has said he would support resurrecting LRT if federal and private partners help pay the bill.
Despite pressure from friends, Pappas opted against getting back in the game after LRT was cancelled, noting the building had become a magnet for metal thieves and urban explorers who craved photos or mementoes from a bowling time capsule.
Pappas salvaged his favourite bowling shoes and an original metal sign warning bowlers to keep back from the foul line," but the vacant building still contained unique artifacts like 1950s-era swiveling bar stools, painted metal cigarette ads and battered pins waiting for a next ball that would never come.
You could still see mangled ball dispensers and scraps of laminate lane at the half-destroyed building on the weekend.
The building was built for Canadian" five-pin bowling by Les and Cliff Martin in the 1940s. Pappas' dad Norm, who owned a restaurant in the same block, bought the alley in the late 1970s. Jim started setting pins there as a kid - and never stopped.
It's hard to let go, because I basically spent my entire life in there," said Pappas, who still refers to himself as the Bowlin' Guy" on Facebook.
Many of his best memories happened in the two-storey concrete building, like a wedding party that once hid inside during a scavenger hunt. Pappas insisted the bride throw a few balls before she left. She insisted he spontaneously attend the wedding in his jeans and T-shirt.
He started his first bowling league - Big Bucks and Rock n' Roll - when he was in high school. Over the years, he carved out an old-school niche in the market: no electronic scoring, loud music or neon lights - just scorecards, pencils and basic math."
League players, urban explorers and random families shared fond memories - and pointed political criticism - when photos of the demolition circulated online over the weekend. It's nice to feel like you made a difference," said Pappas. That's my legacy, I guess."
Matthew Van Dongen is a Hamilton-based reporter covering transportation for The Spectator. Reach him via email: mvandongen@thespec.com