St Leonards Bowling Club gets accessibility upgrade

THE St Leonards Bowling Club has unveiled new accessible facilities, including change rooms and decking, enhancing inclusivity for players of all abilities.

This improvement, funded by a $250,000 grant from the Victorian Government, marks a significant step towards supporting diverse participants in local sports.

Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant formally opened the new amenities, which aim to cater to the club’s growing membership, now exceeding 250.

“The St Leonards community deserve appropriate facilities that they can be proud of,” Ms Marchant said.

“The new accessible change areas and decking are a great asset for local bowls, providing the club the opportunity to welcome more players and reinforce its reputation as a social hub.

“Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get involved in local sport and recreation and lead healthy and active lifestyles.”

The upgrades include accessible player change rooms, a toilet, a parents’ room, and a spacious decking area for events.

Since its establishment in 1963, the club has been a community staple, offering social and competitive bowling.

The recent enhancements will enable the club to host more tournaments and strengthen its community engagement.

The project is part of the Victorian Budget 2023/24’s $213 million commitment to community sports infrastructure, contributing to the government’s $1.9 billion investment over the past decade.

Marchant praised the club’s own financial and in-kind contributions totalling $60,000 towards the upgrades.