Court allows NC bowling alleys to reopen; Gov. Cooper requests stay

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – An association representing bowling establishments across North Carolina can reopen immediately following a court’s ruling on Tuesday.

Superior Court Judge James L. Gale presided over the order that will allow members of the North Carolina Proprietors Association, Inc. to “immediately resume operation of their bowling alleys.”

The alleys must comply with mandatory operational guidelines which include limiting the number of patrons in the business, all patrons over the age of 2 wearing a mask with exceptions, and keeping one lane empty between bowling groups.

The order outlines 15 guidelines that must be followed. Already, one Wilmington-area bowling alley has indicated it will re-open this week. Cardinal Lanes on Shipyard Boulevard plans to start operating Thursday morning.

“We’re going to be putting signage up and we’ll have hand sanitizing, and we’ll be social distancing, probably have every other lane open, that sort of thing,” Ronald Snell, owner of Cardinal Lanes, said. “Making sure the balls are clean and the areas are pre-wiped over and over. Just doing everything we have to do to keep the Covid down.”

Gov. Roy Cooper has filed for a motion for stay until the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court can hear or decide on the matter.

Cooper has asked for an expedited review of the motion for stay – saying the reopening of bowling alleys can possibly cause “irreparable” harm.

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