ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS SERVING OSHAWA

We are a family run business that has operated exclusively within the city limits of Oshawa since 1925. Since 1925 we have had a few name changes and have had 4 different locations.

Motor City Bowling Club (Fall 1925 – 1957)
Located at 52 1/2 Sincoe Street, Oshawa (Now the head office for Lovell Holdings)

The Motor City Bowling Club was an iconic part of Oshawa’s early entertainment scene. Opening its doors in the fall of 1925. For more than two decades, it was the go-to destination for the community, offering both recreation and social connection in the heart of Oshawa.

In 1949, a major remodel transformed the space, breathing new life into the club and modernizing it for a new era. However, in a twist of fate, a devastating fire forced the Motor City Bowling Club to move to a new location. Despite this setback, the spirit of the club lived on, and it would rise again in a new home, continuing its legacy of innovation and community engagement.

What made this location unique was its setup: the bowling lanes were located on the top floor—an architectural feature that still stands today in the building that now houses Lovell Drugs. The building itself became a local landmark, filled with memories of friendly competition and camaraderie. Even after the club’s relocation, the original structure continued to hold significance in Oshawa’s history.

MOTOR CITY BOWL - 78 Richmond St (Fall 1957 - 1989)

For decades, Motor City Bowl stood as a pillar of entertainment in Oshawa, offering a unique, multi-level bowling experience that brought generations together. It all began with Matt Kotelko, the original proprietor, who helped shape the centre into an iconic community hub. In 1961, a young Bruce England joined the team at Motor City Bowl, eventually taking over as proprietor and continuing to lead the charge for innovation and growth.

Here’s a glimpse into the history of this legendary bowling centre:

• 1963: A groundbreaking moment for the bowling world in Oshawa—Motor City Bowl became one of the first in the region to install automatic pinsetters on the main floor. 16 A50 pinsetters were introduced, revolutionizing the game. By 1966, we upgraded to A51 pinsetters, ensuring a smooth, efficient experience.
• 1965: Not resting on our laurels, the top floor received an additional 16 A51 automatic pinsetters, making Motor City Bowl one of the most advanced centers in the area.
• 1967: The innovation continued as the basement lanes were outfitted with the final set of A50 automatic pinsetters, completing the full modernization of the centre.
• 1969-1970: A major redesign added brand-new Gold Crown seating and masking units, elevating the look and comfort of the entire venue.
• 1972: Anticipating growth, we acquired Oshawa Fur & Cold Storage, turning it into an expanded parking lot to accommodate the many fans who flocked to Motor City Bowl.
• 1976: In another step towards modernization, automatic scoring was introduced on the main floor, bringing a new level of convenience and excitement to the game.
• 1984: The transformation continued with the opening of a bar in the basement, creating a vibrant, social space for patrons to relax and enjoy drinks after a round of bowling.

Motor City Bowl was not just a bowling centre—it was an ever-evolving entertainment destination that brought the latest in technology and fun to Oshawa, all while fostering a sense of community. Whether it was the thrill of bowling on three levels or the excitement of new innovations, Motor City Bowl was where Oshawa came to play.

OSHAWA BOWLING LANES (Fall 1957 - 1986)

Located at the basement level of the Oshawa Shopping Centre. In the 1973-1974 season Oshawa bowling lanes was acquired and became a part of Motor City Bowl. Oshawa lanes had 24 lanes of automatic pinsetters (A51's) and was a manual scoring house. Fun fact this centre even had a daycare for a short period of time.

NORTH END BOWL / NEB's Fun World (1987 - Today)

Since 1987, we’ve been a hub of innovation and fun in Oshawa, evolving from humble beginnings into the ultimate entertainment destination. What started with the merger of Motor City Bowl and Oshawa Bowling Lanes slowly transformed into the vibrant, thrilling place we are today — NEB’s Fun World.

From our iconic location at 1300 Wilson Rd N, we’ve never stopped pushing boundaries. As our community’s go-to destination for fun, we’ve consistently reinvigorated ourselves, offering new experiences that go beyond your typical bowling alley. Here’s a glimpse of our journey:

1994: We introduced a cutting-edge arcade, elevating entertainment to a whole new level.

1996: The excitement soared with the arrival of our thrilling bumper cars.

1998: Our Pirate Bar was added — a perfect blend of fun and flair.

2000: Expanded with the creation of a whole new attractions building, bringing even more excitement to our guests.

2001: We took things into overdrive by building our own go-karts & track in-house.

2004: Pushing the limits of interactive play, we launched our one-of-a-kind air tag attraction.

2006: Revolutionized the bowling experience with the invention of convertible bowling machines.

2011: We made bowling smarter with the development of our custom automatic scoring system, developed in house.

2017: We began taking our theming to the next level, making every corner of our space a unique adventure.

2020: Introduced NEB’s 3.0, an exciting new phase that took our offerings even further.

2024: brand-new mini golf course, along with a digital scorecard that was also developed in house.

Through it all, our commitment to the Oshawa community and our passion for innovation has been unwavering. We’ve had the privilege of watching generations of families, friends, and teams create lasting memories here — and we’re just getting started!

The adventure continues at NEB’s Fun World. What’s next? You’ll just have to stay tuned… 😉