Traci Moyer

tmoyer@newsleader.com

WAYNESBORO — The roof of Wayne Lanes has collapsed, according to police officials, and two streets have been closed as emergency crews work at the scene.

North Charlotte Avenue and Broad Street were closed after the roof gave way, Waynesboro Police Department personnel said Saturday about 8:40 p.m.

The cause of the collapse — which was called in to 911 at 7 :44 p.m. — is unknown, but officials say no one was reported injured.

Capt. Roy Robinson with the Waynesboro Fire Department said they received a call about the structure collapsing and secured the scene, but have been unable to enter the building.

He said when the fire department arrived, they discovered a partial wall had fallen over and the roof of the building collapsed. There were no immediate hazards, Robinson said Saturday night.

Utilities to the building were notified of the situation and the building has been condemned, he said.

“We are currently on the scene waiting for the property owner to arrive,” Robinson said.

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Shawn Lavender, the mid-40s owner of Wayne Lanes, in recent years had transformed the small 12-lane business off North Charlotte Avenue into a well-run outlet with some recent PBA Tour stops in the past. We weren’t able to reach him Saturday night for comment.

Once having bowled on the national level, Lavender still does it well, and in recent years has managed three pro shops in Waynesboro, Staunton and Harrisburg.

When we spoke to him for a 2013 article, Lavender reflected on what the recipe was for staying solvent in a changing business.

“…You don't have to be the biggest center. You don't have to be the newest stuff. You have to treat the bowlers right and do the right things. And they come back. That's pretty much it."

Waynesboro residents have long celebrated birthdays and company outings at the small bowling alley and many have posted messages of sadness and loss on Facebook after learning about the building’s roof collapsing.

The News Leader will continue to report details on this story as they become available.

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