While a wheelchair ramp is in the works for Byllye Lanes bowling center on Seaward Avenue in Bradford, all involved admit the project is now expected to take a little longer to install than originally anticipated.
The Era published a story in September about the need for a ramp at the bowling center, especially when hosting athletes with McKean County Special Olympics. Individuals who use wheelchairs currently have to be lifted in their wheelchairs by volunteers from the upper floor level down to the alleys if they want to bowl. Conversely, they also have to be lifted back up to floor level at the end of the games.
The Geigers have stated they plan to have a wheelchair ramp installed on the far left side of the bowling center, and had requested monetary or volunteer help from the community for the project. The installation will involve removing a large rectangular storage facility covered with carpet near alley one in the bowling center. The ramp would be installed in the area of the storage facility following its removal.
Longtime Byllye Lanes employee, Brad Skaggs, said the Geigers are receptive to the installation of a ramp, but are currently in the middle of a number of projects at the business.
“There are other projects we’re trying to finish up and then we’ll get to (the ramp installation),” Skaggs said, noting the ramp will likely be installed later in the bowling season.
Pat Ryan, Special Olympics coordinator, said he hopes to help “get the wheels turning” for the project in January by recruiting volunteers from the community and civic groups to assist with the ramp installation.
“It’s going to happen this winter,” Ryan said of the project. While the ramp will be installed after Special Olympics finishes at the end of October, he said it will help others with disabilities enjoy the sport this winter.
“There will be other people who will use it,” Ryan promised. “I think (the Geigers) will be surprised because they’re going to see people using it. Even for someone who can walk, but can’t walk well, they’d rather use a ramp” than steps.
Ryan had previously stated that over the years, some Special Olympians with disabilities didn’t participate in bowling because of the difficulty involved with accessing the alley. He said lifting heavy motorized wheelchairs down to the alleys is very difficult, and lowering manual wheelchairs is also a challenge. He said both endeavors can be dangerous as not everyone is skilled in lifting wheelchairs.
Ryan said he hopes to enlist “a couple of guys who know how to use a drill” and hammer to get the ramp built in relatively short order this winter.
“It’s a really simple project,” he continued. “It’s just a matter of putting in a 10-foot ramp because the rise is only about 13 or 14 inches, it’s very small.”
He said carpet will be attached to the ramp and a handrail will be installed, as well.
