Club member Helen Murdoch rolls the jack to open the 2016 – 2017 season.
The dream of having an all-year-round bowling green become a reality with the Helensville Bowling Club opening its all weather synthetic carpet green with an official ceremony on Saturday July 23.
In 2014 a subcommittee dedicated to making this happen was established. The committee was chaired by Alan Melrose and supported by Ken Downer, Deb Presland, Peter Butcher, Neil Connell, Kelly Clark and Rod Treadaway. Funding was always going to be difficult, but after many hours spent on applications, the club was successful in raising $63,000 with the balance financed through club investments.
On behalf of the club President Mark Preedy would like to thank Foundation North, NZ Community Trust, Pelorus Trust, Blue Sky Community Trust, NZ Racing Board and Tapora Sands Mine & Sales for the grants they provided. Also to be thanked is club member Malcolm Smith of Tapora Sands carried out foundation excavation work and provided his own machinery, saving the club approx.$10,000.Construction of the green was contracted to Superturf Bowls Ltd.
Already two winter tournaments have been played with favourable comments received from visiting players. Further work is planned around the green with more shelters, new fencing and a new equipment shed to be added.
We encourage anyone from the community to ‘have a go at bowls’. Anyone interested in learning to play – bowls and coaching provided, flat soled shoes a must – call Rod on
09 420 9373 or the bowling club on 09 420 8316.