The former bowling alley building will soon be available for lease. City Council agreed last week to make the building available.

The City of Fort Saskatchewan purchased the downtown building at 9936 - 102 Street in 2007 for $500,000. Officials did this thinking it would be a useful addition to the new City Hall project then being planned.

Among the issues under consideration at the time was the possible need for more parking for the expanded City Hall. It was even proposed that Pioneer House be dismantled and moved to make parking space.

The newly-purchased building was also considered a good option for additional office space for City staff.

The building was leased by Fields department store at the time of purchase, and remained a Fields store until 2012. In 2014, it was leased to Fort Lanes and turned into a bowling alley.

That lease was renewed in 2019. This new lease period ended on Aug. 31, 2024.

Fort Lanes has not reopened, and City officials are in the process of taking legal possession of the building again.

Administration recommended that the building be held vacant until needed, telling City Council that more office space will be wanted within the next 10 years.

Council decided, however, that the building should be leased out if a tenant can be found, as it is better to earn income than to let the building sit vacant.