Going green, in more ways than one

By Meg Kennedy

After its greens were almost destroyed by salty bore water and drought, Ballan Bowling Club has been given the opportunity for year-round green grass.

The lawn bowls club was recently granted $100,000 from Moorabool Shire Council for a new synthetic green, as part of Council’s Community Development Fund.

The news comes as club members have worked tirelessly since March to get the grounds back up to a playing standard, with many volunteer-run working bees held, and donations made, in preparation for next month’s 2019/20 pennant season.

Bowling Club President Mick Conroy said the artificial grass will help make the club “an all-year round facility for the community.”

As the club is closed for five-months of the year, Mr Conroy said it allows for more community involvement on the grounds.

“We wanted to utilise the club more…through the Moorabool Shire community grants, [the club] wants to be more active and progressive and to get more community involvement,” he said.

As well as opening more opportunities for the community, Mr Conroy said the artificial grass is also environmentally friendly.

“Our impact on the environment will be less, with less water, less chemicals on the system, and water can be used elsewhere,” he said.

Mr Conroy said the grant will mark “a new direction” for the club after a tumultuous year.

“We are trying to utilise the grounds with more members, but mostly for more community groups to use it, and for more participation from across the Moorabool Shire.”

Construction for the new turf will begin in late-April 2020.

The upcoming season is still on schedule and begins on 21 September.

Ballan Bowling Club is located in Cowie street and is just one of the user groups at the Ballan Recreation Reserve.