New life’s a beach for munted bowling green
BARE FEET have replaced bowling shoes on a twice earthquakedestroyed suburban Christchurch bowling green, which has been given a new lease of life as a sand pitch.
Volunteers shovelled 83 tonnes of liquefaction off the Elmwood Bowling Club green, in Strowan, after the September 4, 2010, and February 22, 2011, earthquakes.
After the first quake, the green was repaired, but the February 2011 quake hit before the first game could be played.
The cost of a second round of repairs and the risk of further quake damage were deemed too great to restore it to its former glory.
The weeds grew and it looked as if it would stay that way, until four months ago.
Elmwood Club manager Ricki Jones started in August and realised that there was an opportunity to innovate.
After deliberation among club members and some inspiration from Gap Filler’s city projects, 900 tonnes of sand was brought in – enough for four beach volleyball courts.
Sponsorship was secured, with Fulton Hogan supplying some materials and transporting the sand free of charge. MacCafferi NZ donated the underlay and Christchurch Ready Mix Concrete supplied the sand at cost.
The project was completed on December 18, with the first volleyball games held the following day. Jones said there had already been interest from Christchurch sports clubs wanting to play beach volleyball, beach football, handball and korfball and even build sandcastles.
‘‘ It could be anything any day. We’ve tried to make it as portable as possible,’’ Jones said. ‘‘This is just so different. It’s a big sign of progress.’’
There was still one bowling green functioning at the club grounds, where bowls, cricket, hockey, croquet, football and netball are played.