The grass is greener at City Oval

A NEW synthetic green was officially opened at the City Oval Bowling Club on Monday morning, ready for members and away sides to enjoy as the summer bowls season draws near.

Fully-funded by the City of Ballarat, the $638,000 project saw the removal of a grass green which was replaced by the synthetic surface. It retains the name of past life member Trevor Bennett.

City Oval Bowling Club chair Leigh McKenzie said their more-than 100 members can now roll a few down at any time of the year.

“The new green is a reflection of our club’s determination to be patient, and our willingness to build a relationship that secures a long-term future for the club and our members,” he said.

“The club is 100 years young and having two different playing surfaces will encourage and hopefully attract new bowlers to the club.

“City Oval Bowling Club is striving to be a destination bowling club with a focus to be successful both on and off the greens.

“We had a great turn-out at the opening, and we expect the synthetic green will attract some new members to the club. We’ve already got six or seven new members this year as part of this, and we’re also getting a new uniform in the coming weeks.”

The City Oval Bowls Club still has two grassed greens, alongside the new synthetic one, which requires less maintainance by volunteers.

“This new green allows for greater usage in all weather conditions and will result in greater participation numbers at the club,” said City of Ballarat mayor Cr Des Hudson.

“We know how incredibly hard volunteers work at community sporting clubs and that maintaining grass greens can be an extra burden, so to take some of that strain off the club is fantastic.”

Ballarat clubs including City Oval will host the Bowls Victoria 2024 Regions Sides Championships in January.