A fire in the in early July caused extensive damage to Vengeance Fitness and Kobau Lanes. Both businesses have been closed since then and the owner intends to open by March. (Richard McGuire photo)
The reopening of the Kobau Lanes bowling alley and Vengeance Fitness has been delayed until March, but owner Dan Tarasewich intends to be open in time for the Jamboree Bowling Tournament.
Both businesses have been closed since a fire, blamed on arson, damaged them in early July.
“We’re looking at a couple extra months than we expected,” said Tarasewich. “The demolition on the inside is done and the reconstruction process is started, but there were a couple of hiccups for us to get to this point. Now it’s going to go really fast.”
The Jamboree Tournament is scheduled for the end of March. Tarasewich expects both businesses to be open by mid-March, although he is shooting for the end of February.
He said the contractors encountered more smoke damage than expected.
“It meant the demolition was extensive,” he said. “There had to be some restructuring, reframing and there is a lot of stuff that had to be done.”
Delays in settling the insurance meant the work was only able to start in October.
The original goal was to reopen in December.
Tarasewich has said that customers with gym memberships will have them fully honoured and extended from the date the gym reopens.
“I want to apologize to all my customers,” he said. “I probably get 20 calls a week on average from customers anxious to get in there, the bowlers and fitness people. I apologize for the delays. I feel terrible. I love the people that come to my business. They become friends and family, so I just want to let everybody know we’re going to get back up and running ASAP.”
Tarasewich said he has not received an update on the arson investigation.
“I know they’ve got probably two of the best investigators in B.C. on this,” he said. “There’s always rumours and innuendo, but I haven’t heard any definites on anything. I know whoever did this will get caught.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
