Waterford bowling league brings community together with inclusive design

Adaptive bowling league touches many

A Waterford bowling league is bringing people of all abilities together, with more than 100 participants gathering weekly at an accessible River City Lanes facility.

WATERFORD, Wis. - A weekly bowling league in Waterford is creating a welcoming space for people of all abilities, turning a non-competitive night into something much bigger.

River City Lanes hosts the league every Tuesday, drawing bowlers and community members together in an environment designed to be accessible and inclusive.

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"Our oldest one, I think, is 78, and our youngest one, I would think, is probably 17," said Connie Levilet, who helps organize the league.

The facility’s layout plays a major role, from automatic doors to step-free access and spacious seating and scoring areas.

The alley was built in 2006, meeting ADA requirements and intentionally designed to accommodate adaptive bowlers.

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"I would describe it as amazing," Levilet said. "There's a hundred people here tonight, first and second shift, and they're all full of smiles, and it puts love in my heart."

Organizers say the league is about more than bowling — it’s about connection, inclusion and community.

Owners say newer facilities like River City Lanes are easier to design for accessibility, while older alleys can face challenges retrofitting for adaptive use.