Bowls hub campaign continues

Local bowling clubs and Moorabool Shire Council have embarked on an ambitious campaign to get a new ‘Bacchus Marsh Community and Bowls Hub’ delivered, and are calling on the community to back the project.

Under the current plans, the Hub will provide three new bowling greens (including two all-weather greens), a bistro, a commercial kitchen and bar, community function and meetings rooms, and outdoor decking and dining.

Council and the merging Bacchus Marsh and Avenue Bowling Clubs have already contributed to the $14 million investment for the Hub, and are seeking a commitment of $3.5 million from State or Federal Government to bring the promising plans to fruition.

Bowls is the fourth most popular sport in Victoria for those aged 65 and over, but in recent years has begun to attract younger players too.

However, Bowling Club President Peter Kay said the limits of the current bowls facilities made it hard to attract younger members to the club.

“It’s hard to attract players, because what have you got to offer? You’ve got the Bowling Club at the moment, and nothing else. There’s nothing to attract young families, because why would they come?” Mr Kay said.

“Whereas if we had the new facilities with the dome, it’d mean we could play all year round, together with the bistro, where people can enjoy meals, we can have functions, et cetera.”

Mr Kay said the hub’s new facilities would be an asset to the Moorabool community.

“It’s going to have state of the art facilities, it’s going to be great for the community. They can have a meal, they can watch bowls…and it’ll create that community spirit, not just in the Bowling Club, but between all the sports clubs,” he said.

To read more about the Bacchus Marsh Community and Bowls Hub and other projects Council are advocating for funding for, visit www.moorabool.vic.gov.au/advocacy.