It has survived changes in people’s recreational interests, ups and downs in the economy, and even a pandemic. Yet, what can be considered an institution in the heart of West Valley City rolls on today seemingly as popular as ever. 

Since 1958, Delton Bowling has been home to local bowling enthusiasts and even those who only pick up a ball every few years. 

At the northeast corner of 3500 South and 3600 West, Delton Bowling has been in its present building since 1964, but it began with 22 lanes in a white building that still stands today a short walk across the parking lot.  

Delton Bowling has been an institution near 3500 South and 3600 West in West Valley City since 1958. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

It has been a family-owned business since the beginning with family members and relatives holding varying degrees of ownership, starting with Milton Orr and Al Warr. Today, the proprietorship rests with West Valley City natives Mark and Erin Orr, who took full control of Delton Bowling in 2022. Milton and Al, both of whom passed away years ago, are Mark’s grandfather and uncle, respectively. Milton married Al’s sister, Della. The “Delton” name is a combination of Milton and Della. 

The current cinder block building has 24 bowling lanes, a bar, snack bar, billiards and an arcade. The Orrs would like to expand, pointing to an empty square on the east end of the south-facing exterior of the structure as a potential spot to build out and add more interior space. Oddly, however, that small piece of ground is owned by the Utah Department of Transportation. “We’ve had a really hard time getting UDOT to sell it,” Erin said. “There’s nobody on the planet that can use it except us.” 

Erin said that if she and her husband hadn’t bought out the family members who previously owned it up to 2022, Delton Bowling would likely have been sold to make way for a car wash. 

The Orrs, particularly Mark, who started working at Delton in his teens, have seen the evolution of bowling over the years, especially with technology. Scoring, which used to be done with paper and pencil, is now tallied automatically as the pins get knocked down and is shown on a screen for all to see—in that lane anyway. “It basically changed bowling,” Mark said. “It started making it so families and kids could come and bowl that didn’t bowl prior.” 

Another change that made the sport more fun, especially for youth bowlers, is the bumper system to give inexperienced participants a greater chance of keeping the ball in play rather than drift toward the gutter. Mark said they used to be put in place manually and stayed there throughout the game regardless of whether grown-ups or adults were bowling in that lane. Now they can be programmed by the bowlers to be raised or removed depending on the need. “That exploded the kids’ aspect of being able to bowl,” Mark said. “That’s a big deal to throw the ball and hit the pins.” Other beneficial additions were ramps that enable people with physical limitations to send the ball rolling down the lane. 

A photo shows the original Delton Bowling building, which still stands today northwest of the current center. (Darrell Kirby/City Journals)

Despite more recreational opportunities and technology, many adults still are lured to bowling. Nearly 70 million Americans participate in recreational bowling each year, says bowl.com, far more than the number taking part in leagues. Organized play is still popular at Delton Bowling, but the Orrs say they have freed up more lanes since they took over for open-play, or nonleague, bowlers. “I think we’ve hit a good balance between the two. There’s room for both,” Erin said.  

The origins of bowling are traced to Egypt around 5,000 B.C. “Ancient Egyptians rolled stones at various objects with the goal of knocking them over,” according to a historical summary at bowling.com. 

“I’ve often thought ‘what is it about bowling that hasn’t died? How has the sport and activity stayed alive for so many years?’” Mark asked. His answer: “I’ve come to realize you never see the same thing twice. You never throw the ball exactly the same every time,” he said. Bowling balls, shoes and equipment have also improved. “It’s ever evolving.” 

With the success of Delton Bowling in West Valley City, the Orrs felt comfortable in expanding  by opening a new location in Riverton in 2014. That location’s contributions to the community earned it Riverton’s Business of the Year award in 2022.

Sometime in the next few years, Mark and Erin anticipate winding down their involvement in the business and having their sons take over more of the operation, but not just yet. They’d still like to see through some wished-for improvements at West Valley, like adding square footage and amenities. 

But whatever the future holds, “It’s been quite a journey,” Mark concluded.