THE Anglesea Bowling Club has opened the doors on a new era with the completion of its new clubhouse.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The new clubhouse was jointly funded by the federal government ($500,000), the Surf Coast Shire ($305,000) and the club itself ($250,000).<\/p>\n
It includes a function room with separate members\u2019 area, male and female change rooms and lockers, an office, match room, bar, pool room and commercial kitchen.<\/p>\n
Mr McDonald said the opening was \u201cthe culmination of a really long journey\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt last we could undertake a rebuilding project, but we had to cut our cloth to suit.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Shed, allowing the club to continue with all its events and pennant matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a lot of fun in that marquee; there was lots of camaraderie and good fellowship.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe welcome the community to come and share this wonderful building with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Bell said the upgrade was a significant improvement to the rooms, which were originally built in 1967.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this great facility leads to increased membership and profitability for the club and enhances community use.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to acknowledge the hard work of the bowling club and its members over many years to raise that money \u2013 a quarter of a million dollars is not small change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Henderson congratulated Mr McDonald as \u201ca master of persuasion and effectiveness\u201d and acknowledged past club presidents Gerard Morrison, Kaye Kendall, Keith Hornibrook and Jim Reid.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the story of a club that never said \u2018we can\u2019t do this\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the story of a club that never gave up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI imagine this is going to be a major social magnet for the town, just as it was for the Torquay Bowls Club.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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. […]<\/p>\n