Dandenong Club pledge $1.4m to develop new undercover facility
In what is sure to be a seismic boost for the sport of bowls in the south east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Club Board has pledged to commit $1.4m in the development of a world-class undercover bowls facility. In what is sure to be a seismic boost for the sport of bowls in the south-east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Club Board has pledged to commit $1.4m in the development of a world-class undercover bowls facility.
A brand new green, roof, viewing area and surrounds will form part of the investment and will replace one of the club’s existing grass greens, with the club’s cafe, dining and conference facilities to also remain.
The investment is a notch in the belt for the club’s ambition to make the facility a ‘Hub’ for bowls in the area, by marrying up their new facilities with a seven day a week bowls program.
Plans also include the engagement of a centre manager, coach and bowls coordinators, resources to help the every day to the elite bowler play at a venue equal to any in the state.
Over the past two years, the club has set about reviving bowls activity at the club.
Bowls club membership has grown 25%, and a heavy focus on more casual bowls this summer season has resulted in over 3000 occasions that casual bowlers took to the club’s greens.
Club General Manager, Ross Dunlop said the re-development was a proactive measure taken by the club to combat the changing demographic of the sport.
“Changes to the demographic of the typical bowler has resulted in the need for more variation in the type of bowls we offer,” he said.
“We’ve reintroduced, night pennant, as well as Tuesday and Saturday pennant teams but we now run Jack Attack competitions and regularly open the greens for barefoot bowls, schools programs and Corporate events. It’s important that we consider making bowls available for the times that potential players can participate.
“Once completed in September 2018 we can offer far more when weatherproofed.”
Works are planned for commencement in April and the Dandenong Club is already speaking with peak bodies to schedule significant events at the Hub.
