Although it is being organized by church leaders, an upcoming banquet to benefit health care and educational efforts in Haiti is intended to be part of an area-wide initiative, according to the Rev. Brian Miller.
   "New Life for Haiti is a community event; it's not a church event," said Miller, who pastors The Crossover church in Mattoon.
   That's why organizers were reluctant to host the free informational and fundraising banquet Jan. 12 in a church, Miller said.
   But this decision left few options.
   So New Life for Haiti joined the long list of organizations, businesses and bridal parties that have struggled over the years to find a suitable room in the Mattoon area to gather and eat But New Life for Haiti also is among the growing number of groups that have turned to a converted bowling alley, of all places, for help.
   Despite the presence of church halls, school "cafetoriums," lodges, clubs and municipal buildings, banquet facilities remain in short supply in Mattoon, said local officials. With this in mind, Mattoon High School economics teacher Vinnie Walk and his parents, Steve and Janis Walk, opted to make the former Lake Land Lanes into a place for receptions, dinners and even plays.
   Fittingly, they called it WalkWay.
   Formerly known as the Etog Bowling Alley, the lanes on Lakeland Boulevard had operated since the mid-1950s. Walk, who also teaches sociology at MHS, remembers bowling there as a kid.
   Lake Land Lanes had been closed for about six months when the Walks purchased it. Vinnie Walk said they considered reopening it for bowling or for storage.
   However, because of Vinnie Walk's involvement with school activities and his contacts with former students, the Walks decided to go the banquet hall route. This decision also satisfied Janis Walk's longtime desire to run a banquet hall, her son said.
   "I knew there was a lack of banquet facilities in the area," Vinnie Walk said, citing his efforts over the years with various school groups, including the prom committee. "It was always hard for me to find somewhere" to host a function, he said.
   At the same time, he regularly heard from past students who were getting married and in need of advice on where to plan their wedding receptions. "I gave them the local suggestions, but there weren't very many at the time," Walk said.
   The Walks chose to preserve the original structure's ambience by reusing some of the materials from the lanes and gutters for the table tops and decorative woodwork.
   "We were looking for a nice banquet facility for our banquet, and it was exceptional," Miller said. "It was kind of a surprise, since it had been a bowling alley, but it was very nice."
   Opened in the fall of 2006, WalkWay already has proven popular, "especially during the wedding season," said Walk.
   "We're busy most every Saturday."
   But wedding receptions certainly aren't the only sort of events at the one-time bowling alley.
   "We're very fortunate to have the WalkWay come in," said Mary Wetzel, executive director of the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce.
   She said local businesses have begun utilizing the Walks' establishment for company parties and the like. "If it's a larger function, the opportunity to have another choice is always welcome," said Wetzel.
   And the fact that the facility is a retrofitted bowling alley only adds to its character, she said. "I like that a breath of fresh air has come into one of our icons," she said.
   The Walks "changed its personality from a bowling alley to a lovely banquet facility, and everyone can use it."
   WalkWay also is home to the Mattoon Arts Council's annual dinner theater production. According to council President Thomas LeVeck, MAC will present "Love, Sex and the I.R.S." in March at the facility.
   "It's the best place in town, if not the only place" for a dinner theater, which is MAC's primary fundraiser, LeVeck said.
   The Walks even were willing to help construct a stage for MAC, complete with wiring for proper lighting instruments. And the use of an old bowling alley for plays has had other unanticipated but positive results, LeVeck added.
   "The wood in there gives very good acoustics," he said. "It's really quite unique."