A $50,000 grant to fund Stage 1 of an upgrade to lawn bowls facilities at Moree and District Services Club, with Men’s Bowling Club President Wayne Tighe, left, Women’s Bowling Club Treasurer Lorrain Bartell, Services Club Secretary Manager Robert Shields, Chairman Gary Maidens and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall
Tuesday, 22 February 2022
THE first stage of a significant upgrade to lawn bowl facilities at Moree and District Services Club has today been funded, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announcing a $50,000 State Government grant to help convert the greens to synthetic grass.
Mr Marshall said the project was just the start of a program of works aimed at increasing participation in the sport and community engagement with the club.
“Boasting 100 playing members, Moree and District Services Club is one of the strongest lawn bowls organisations in the region,” Mr Marshall said.
“To ensure the numbers rolling-up are maintained into the future the club wants to modernise its surface, transitioning from turf to synthetic.
“Many clubs across the region are making this move. Synthetic greens play faster, require less water and electricity to maintain and are seen as the gold standard for the modern game.
“Maintenance is really limited to surface grooming once a week and an occasional use of a polishing roller.
“For players these changes will mean they have the opportunity to practice on a surface which is becoming more common and preferred for completion play.
“This will be one of the biggest upgrades the greens at Moree Services Club have seen since they were officially opened in May 1971.
“I recognise Men’s Bowls President Wayne Tighe and Service Secretary Manager Robert Shields on their vision for the future and look forward to working with them to see it achieved.”
Moree and District Services Club Men’s Bowls Committee President Wayne Tighe said improvements would do wonders for maintaining momentum within the club.
“The popularity of lawn bowls at Moree is immense, but obviously due to our hot climate a lot of additional work is needed to keep our greens healthy and playable,” Mr Tighe said.
“We are grateful the Services Club is committed to refurbishing the whole bowling complex, including resurfacing the green and consideration of plans for a roof over the playing area.
“This is a costly exercise but one which we all believe will benefit the Services Club long-term, as Moree becomes an attractive site to host regional bowls competitions.
“More funding is needed to complete the resurfacing phase and the bowls club will keep working with the Services board to access the additional funds needed to complete the green upgrades.
“We are hoping the greens will be completed by autumn of 2023.”