It won’t be long until strikes and spares give way to silence at a bowling alley in Slatington.

The Slatington Bowling Center along Route 873 plans to close its doors in the spring due to coronavirus.

Bill Reese, owner of the facility, shared the unfortunate news on Facebook.

Reese thanked all those who supported the bowling center, which has been a fixture in the area for decades.

“So many people have bowled there since the early ’60s,” Reese said. “We have met so many kind people and new friends through the years.”

Reese said the bowling alley had been closed for about five months through the past year.

“We were forced to make many difficult choices in regards to how to keep operating,” he said. “Over the summer, it became obvious that revenues were not going to cover the expenses and leagues were not going to return.”

Reese said that they entered into a contract to sell the property in September, and have recently closed the deal.

Additionally, the liquor license has been sold.

“I have entered into a lease agreement to try and let the leagues finish their schedules,” he said. “Many leagues bowlers have stopped bowling because of the virus, and revenues are not covering expenses.

“As of now, we will try to stay open until April, but if conditions worsen we will close our doors sooner. I will keep everyone informed if there are any changes.”

Reese added, “Closing bowling centers is not what we do.”

“We always had the intention to keep operating, but in the end we could not see our way through all of this. I hope all of you will continue to bowl in the future.”

Sadly, the Slatington Bowling Center isn’t alone.

The former Haja Lanes building at 614 Delaware Ave. in Palmerton closed in 2019 and was demolished to make way for a St. Luke’s Care Now - Palmerton.

For bowlers looking to ply their trade, the Hungarian Club in Palmerton, Cypress Lanes and Fritz’s Lanes Pro Shop in Lehighton, Spare/Time Lanes in Hometown, and Haja Rose Bowl in Allentown are open.

Alice Wanamaker, assistant vice president, Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, is among the many who bowled at the Slatington Bowling Center over the years.

“I would enjoy the bowling alley; I bowled there as a kid, bowled there as an adult,” Wanamaker said. “As of February, my friends were going there enjoying bowling, enjoying karaoke.”

Wanamaker said she’ll miss the bowling center.

“It’s sad to see such a staple in our community close,” she said. “The facility did provide a place for families and people to go; it’s really sad to see it go.”

Which is why Wanamaker urged people to frequent the facility in the time it has left.

“I would encourage people, if they’re looking to bowl, check the hours they are open,” she said. “Support them in the last few months that they have.”

Wanamaker said her wish is that whoever purchases the property will keep the community in mind.

“From the Chamber’s perspective, our hope is that whoever purchased the building, the land, really chooses to add to the community with whatever they put there, or whatever they transition to,” she said.