Maribyrnong bowlers have received a huge upgrade to their local stomping ground with the installation of a new synthetic green at the Rosamond Bowls Club.
With a $250,000 grant from the state government, secretary Rico Virtuoso said it has been a long awaited upgrade for the club’s 70 members.
“We have been lobbying the state government for funds to be able to be self-funded and grow,” he said.
“We got the grant for the new synthetic grass, and the project kicked off late last year and was completed over the summer months.”
Mr Virtuoso said the turf will mean less maintenance for the club and longer playing periods.
“This means we can play all year round rather than having to rest and treat the grass over the winter months,” he said.
“Bowling grass is quite tedious and high maintenance, so it means that we don’t have any downtime on that grass.
“Because it has been installed where we’ve got our existing floodlights, it means that we can continue lawn bowls, during the winter and in the evenings.”
The bowls community is not the only party to benefit from the new green. The Maribyrnong Sports Academy’s students can also continue their participation at the club.
“We have a partnership with the academy which allows the kids to come into the spring and autumn lawn bowls program so they will also be able to do it in the winter months,” Mr Virtuoso said.
“It gives us greater use and greater access to the facility.”
The green was officially opened on Saturday, March 23, with formal presentations and a ceremonial first roll on the green.
