With the cheers from Tigers Bowlers ringing in members’ ears, Club Charlestown officials and special guests celebrated the opening of the new undercover lawn bowls facility on the booming NSW Central Coast. After two years and $2.2 million to plan and build, Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison and Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser cut the ribbon to open the impressive new facility, built by Lightweight Constructions with synthetic greens installed by Tiger Turf.
Fully funded by the club itself, the project began after Club Charlestown identified the need to have covered synthetic greens, so it could meet the needs of stakeholders.
“The ability to play bowls both competitively and socially was greatly enhanced by protecting the greens from the weather conditions such as rain or the sun. This ensures that competition games and social barefoot bowls are never rained out or subject to cancellation due to bad weather,” it said.
“The club is also able to reduce costs as the new synthetic greens require less maintenance and are far more durable. The first-class facilities mean the club can attract high-level bowls with the ability to host televised events.”
As a result, the NSW State Pennants Finals will be held on the new Club Charlestown greens facility from 30 June to 2 July and the Australian Deaf Games will be held in January 2024.
The new greens are also open just in time for what is expected to be a dry and hot summer, with authorities predicting an extended El Niño event.
The undercover bowling facility adds to the club’s recent lounge, bar and gaming room upgrade. Following a merger with Newcastle Leagues Club, which failed to reopen after Covid shutdowns, Club Charlestown transformed an underutilised function space into an expanded gaming room, using an additional 38 EGM licences. The former gaming room is now Aspire Bar and Lounge.
