Memorial Avenue Eyed for Development

The Packet & Times -

Two neighboring properties on a central stretch of Memorial Avenue are being eyed for possible redevelopment. The Rainbow Lanes site is in the hands of a new owner, while an adjacent property that was once home to a car dealership is the subject of a proposed sale.

“Memorial is still a terrific strip and I think you are going to see it revitalized here for sure,” said Kevin Storey, a real estate agent representing both sites.

The new owner of recently shuttered Rainbow Lanes is unlikely to reopen the business as a bowling alley, Storey told Orillia Today.
“To this point we haven’t had any interest expressed in anybody continuing it on as a bowling alley,” said Storey, of Century 21 Don Campbell Real Estate. “It has not been totally ruled out, but the early indications are it is probably going to end up as a different use.”
As reported in last week’s edition of Orillia Today, the long-running business has closed its doors following a recent sale.
The new owner is considering a possible “redevelopment” of the Memorial Avenue site, Storey added.

He said a potential sale was looming for an adjacent property that was left vacant after the Jim Wilson car dealership moved to West Ridge.
“I do have an offer on Jim’s (Memorial Avenue property), and it is set to close mid-August,” he added. “Again, it is hopefully going to change the face of Memorial and revitalize it for sure.”
Storey said potential purchasers visiting Orillia have become increasingly enamored of the Memorial Avenue strip, a heavily traveled road servicing numerous businesses and large-scale institutions.
“You’ve got OPP Headquarters, you’ve got Georgian College, you’ve got the new Central Region Headquarters, you’ve got Lakehead University (nearby),” he said. “Within this part of town – and it’s still a very high traffic count – they just definitely like what they see.
“Now that they’re improving Memorial Avenue on the next stretch to five lanes, it is situated ideally, for sure,” he added.

Storey said the new owner of the Rainbow Lanes property was “an out-of-town party” and was “a great addition to Orillia.” Members of a local adult bowling association that ran leagues at Rainbow Lanes said they’d hoped the business would return as a bowling alley.