Upgrade to Warragul green

The Warragul Bowling Club is set to receive a new lease on life thanks to $150,000 funding to replace the synthetic surface on one of the club’s two bowling greens.

Latrobe Valley Authority is contributing $150,000 from the Community Facility Fund as part of a $200,000 project which will involve removing the existing sand filled surface, excavating the base and installing a new base and underlay, with a new BowlsWeave synthetic surface.

Latrobe Valley Authority chief executive officer Karen Cain said she was thrilled to support the

growth and sustainability of the club, which is the largest in Baw Baw Shire with 188 members, nearly 150 of which are playing members.

“By providing this funding to bring the surface up to competition standard, we can ensure the 120year-old club can continue to play an important role in the Warragul community for the 5,500 people who are involved in active social and competition bowling.”

Warragul Bowling Club president Keith Wilkins said the funding would go to replacing the second green at the club, which was in very poor condition and currently limiting the club’s ability to run a full program of competition and social events.

“This new BowlsWeave synthetic surface will be the same standard as our other green, meaning our members will be able to easily maintain both greens and we’ll be able to expand the program of social, pennant, and championship events at the Club,” he said.

“With two competition standard greens, we hope to attract the return of the regional based pennant competition as well as large scale tournaments that will bring local visitors and more income into the club.

“The current surface is coming to the end of its life and is almost unplayable – it’s quite threadbare and water collects on the surface after rain, which can make it very difficult to manage and limits the bowls programs we can run.

“The Warragul Bowls Club would also like to thank Baw Baw Shire Council, in particular their recreation department for their support and assistance through the application process.”

For more information about the Community Facility Fund, visit the website lva.vic.gov.au or phone the grants team on 1800 136 762.