New Anglesea Bowling Club rooms open

THE Anglesea Bowling Club has opened the doors on a new era with the completion of its new clubhouse.

The building in Cameron Road was redeveloped at a cost of $1.055 million, and was officially opened by Surf Coast Shire mayor David Bell, Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson and club president Dick McDonald on Friday.

The new clubhouse was jointly funded by the federal government ($500,000), the Surf Coast Shire ($305,000) and the club itself ($250,000).

It includes a function room with separate members’ area, male and female change rooms and lockers, an office, match room, bar, pool room and commercial kitchen.

Mr McDonald said the opening was “the culmination of a really long journey” that began in 2005, and noted that the initial $1.75 million proposal had been revised down substantially when Ms Henderson made her federal funding pledge in 2016.

“At last we could undertake a rebuilding project, but we had to cut our cloth to suit.”

He said the old building was demolished in September 2017 and a marquee was set up on the site to create a temporary bar and kitchen, alongside the facilities in the neighbouring Men’s Shed, allowing the club to continue with all its events and pennant matches.

“We had a lot of fun in that marquee; there was lots of camaraderie and good fellowship.

“We welcome the community to come and share this wonderful building with us.”

Cr Bell said the upgrade was a significant improvement to the rooms, which were originally built in 1967.

“We hope this great facility leads to increased membership and profitability for the club and enhances community use.

“I have to acknowledge the hard work of the bowling club and its members over many years to raise that money – a quarter of a million dollars is not small change.”

Ms Henderson congratulated Mr McDonald as “a master of persuasion and effectiveness” and acknowledged past club presidents Gerard Morrison, Kaye Kendall, Keith Hornibrook and Jim Reid.

“This is the story of a club that never said ‘we can’t do this’,” she said.

“This is the story of a club that never gave up.

“I imagine this is going to be a major social magnet for the town, just as it was for the Torquay Bowls Club.”