Freeland Lanes has been under new management and Roger Simmons, the new owner, has a good sense of humor.

“Voted South Whidbey’s Best Bowling Alley,” reads the sign outside the building on South Harbor Avenue.

“I thought it would be funny,” he said. Especially, because Freeland Lanes is the only bowling place on South Whidbey.

The bowling alley has been a part of South Whidbey for nearly 50 years.

The grandparents of some of the teenagers that come nowadays used to role the ball at Freeland Lanes decades ago.

It’s a family place where seniors and teenagers can bowl side by side, Simmons said.

There are many birthday parties at the party room and people bowl for the championship at popular leagues.

“I come to understand how many people are attached to the bowling alley,” Simmons said.

Ever since the bowling alley and the adjacent building were sold last winter, rumors circulated that the bowling alley may be demolished.

Simmons said it is not true. The building owners plan to demolish the building next door, but the bowling alley will remain unharmed.

The new ownership of the lanes was received well by the community.

“People have been very supportive,” he said.

“It’s been good. Business has been good.”

Especially popular is Cosmic Bowling. People can bowl under black lights and music is played. It’s on Friday and Saturday nights. “We’ve been full lately,” Simmons said.

As the winter bowling leagues come to an end, the business readies for a few changes.

Toward the end of April the winter leagues end, and there will be more time for open bowling.

In May, the bowling alley will open daily at noon.

But there is more to Freeland Lanes than bowling.

As we all know, any sort of sport fuels the appetite. Hungry bowlers enjoy Mean Gene’s Pizza.

“We sell a lot of pizza,” Simmons laughed.

Simmons has lived and worked on Whidbey Island for 27 years. Yet, many people don’t know that he has bowling in his blood.

His parents owned a large bowling place in Seattle for more than 20 years.

“I remember the day I left, I thought I would never return to the bowling business,” he said.

The experience and his love for the game is manifested in the pride he takes in taking care of the aging bowling facility.

“Something I feel strongly about is taking care of the pin setters,” he said.

“They are the heart and soul of the bowling alley.”

He tries to do repairs as quickly as possible and is grateful for people’s patience.

No wonder, Freeland Lanes is South Whidbey’s favorite bowling alley.