New turf raising hopes for club
Palmerston North Bowling Club secretary Diane Gemmell and president Denis Duffy inspect the surface laid on the club’s new artificial turf.
The Palmerston North Bowling Club wants more than just bowlers to use its new multi-purpose artificial turf.
The Linton St club has just finished laying the new turf on what was its littleused third green. The surface will be used as a multi-purpose sports turf the club hopes will be well patronised.
Work started in October and after being interrupted by the national lockdown is now finished.
Club president Denis Duffy said he hoped the new turf would attract community groups, schools and sports teams to use it.
‘‘In its day it was the third green and it was full for big events or club championships. At one stage you couldn’t even get on it.
‘‘More recently it’s been a weed patch and no-one knew what to do with it. But now it’s a lot better.’’
This surface was different from the artificial bowling greens Foxton and Beach, Johnston Park and Takaro had, Duffy said.
Club members will be able to use the surface for practising, coaching and some games, but not top-level competitive matches.
The turf is suited to other uses such as junior football training.
Palmerston North member Brian Little said the new surface needed next to no maintenance except for cleaning.
Twelve tonnes of sand was laid on the surface and recent rain would have helped the sand bed in to the turf.
Little said the old green was dug out and filled with various grades of metal, then had a fine grade laid on top.
A speed map went on top of that, then the carpet surface.
‘‘It’s a great finish. We’re really pleased with the way it looks,’’ Little said.
The speed of the new green, the time it takes for the bowl to reach the other end, is about 10 seconds – compared with about 14 seconds on a grass green.
The club has approached schools about using the surface and club secretary Diane Gemmell said whoever wanted could book it.
The club, which would not say how much the turf cost, hopes bookings will start coming in.
Work on the turf was completed by Unreal Grass and Mexted Performance Sports Surfaces.