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Bowls Ōrewa has secured $600,000 from Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund for a second covered green.
The funding is part of an ongoing upgrade, Ōrewa Bowls treasurer Kerry Greenhalgh said. The club installed all-weather carpet greens and built its first covered green in 2020.
While many clubs are struggling with falling memberships, Bowls Ōrewa is thriving, Greenhalgh said. It now has 300 playing members and 90 associates, making it one of the largest clubs in the country.
The covered greens mean bowls can be played all year, with players also shielded from the sun.
“It’s a huge benefit as it helps us to increase participation. We have 80 and 90-year-olds playing from 9am to 4pm, and we also introduced bowls arms to help people who need assistance so they can continue playing,” Greenhalgh said.
The club also works with local colleges. Over the past four years it has been part of the NCEA sports leadership programme, which brings 20 to 30 students to the club several times a week.
“They love it, and we are always trying to encourage younger people to play,” Greenhalgh said.
Bowls Ōrewa also hires its facilities for community and corporate use.
Construction of the new roof will begin in November. The club will also celebrate its 75th anniversary with a special tournament for current and past members planned for October. The club currently has a display about its history in the Heritage Festival at Ōrewa Libary.
Anyone interested in taking part can email orewa.bowls@xtra.co.nz.
