09/19/2026
The End of an Era — West-Port Bowling Lanes
This is a difficult announcement for us to write.
After 64 years, the time has come to say goodbye to West-Port Bowling Lanes.
West-Port was built in 1962, and in 1968, our dad, Avadis Tevanian, purchased the bowling alley. He ran it for the next 20 years, until his passing in 1988.
After our dad passed, Rose Merrill, our brother Alan’s mother-in-law, stepped in and kept West-Port going for an incredible 34 years, from 1988 until her retirement in 2022. Since then, Pam Lavalliere has carried on that tradition, keeping the lanes running right up until today.
For us, West-Port has never been just a bowling alley. It has been part of our family for nearly 60 years and part of this community for 64.
Generations of families have walked through these doors. Kids who bowled here years ago came back with their own children and grandchildren. Over the years, these lanes have been the setting for countless leagues, birthday parties, first dates, friendships, rivalries, celebrations, and memories that will last a lifetime.
In so many ways, West-Port became a local landmark.
Unfortunately, time eventually catches up with everything. Much of the bowling equipment and machinery is 64 years old. Parts are becoming extremely difficult to find, and keeping these old machines operating has become more challenging with every passing year.
Knowing that doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.
We understand how much this place has meant to so many people because it has meant just as much to our family. It will be strange to see West-Port gone after it has been such a meaningful part of our lives for so long.
We want to sincerely thank everyone who has bowled here, worked here, joined a league, celebrated a birthday, brought their family through the doors, or simply stopped in for a few strings over the past 64 years.
And a special thank you to Rose and Pam for all the years they dedicated to keeping West-Port going and preserving its place in this community.
There aren’t many places left like this anymore, and we are proud that West-Port Bowling Lanes was part of this community for as long as it was.
The building may change, but 64 years of memories aren’t going anywhere.
Thank you for being part of the history, heart, and story of West-Port Bowling Lanes.
