Bowlers in drive to achieve funds for clubhouse

Bowlers in drive to achieve funds for clubhouse

1 February 2017

MAGHERADROLL Outdoor Bowling Club in Ballynahinch is hoping to secure funding to build an ultra-modern new clubhouse.

Plans are being drawn up to replace the 70 year-old pre-fabricated building which will have to be removed by specialist contractors as it was constructed using asbestos cladding and roofing.

Club officials met with Newry, Mourne and Down Council Director, Michael Lipsett, on Monday morning to discuss their plans for a new clubhouse which could cost as much as £90,000.

Club secretary, Brian Carson, described the condition of the existing clubhouse as “embarrassing” and said it has long since passed its sell-by-date. He said the building does not meet the club’s needs and is woefully inadequate to cater for visiting teams.

“The building is impossible to heat, is damp in the winter and we look for a warm summer to help dry it out,” said Mr Carson. “We have no separate changing facilities for ladies and gents, a facility which is available at all the other clubs where we play our away matches.

“We have almost 50 members and really do need a new clubhouse. We are keen to work with the local council and other funders to secure the money we need and we hope this initiative will be successful.”

Mr Carson said the estimated cost of removing the current building — given the fact it is made from asbestos, is in the region of £7,500, — confirming the club recently secured £10,000 from the Big Lottery’s Awards for All programme to resurface the car park.

“We are looking to secure a lot of money to build our new clubhouse as the current facility is so inadequate. We have drawn up initial plans and are hoping we can secure money from a range of funders with the help of the local council and others to help us realise our goal.

“We have had discussions with council officials and took part in the recent consultation process to draw up a new sports strategy for the district. We are keen to modernise our facilities so we no longer feel embarrassed when we entertain other teams whose clubhouses are much superior to ours.”

Mr Carson added: “We feel terribly inadequate due to the condition of our current facility. We have one large room everyone must share, a kitchen, space for equipment and ladies and gents toilets. Other clubs have superb facilities and we hope it won’t be long before we have a clubhouse all the members and our visitors can be proud of.

“In the future, we hope the embarrassment of entertaining visitors to Magheradroll Bowling Club will be a thing of the past. We are self-sufficient, looking after the green and it surrounds ourselves. We are based in a beautiful location and would like a clubhouse to match our surroundings.”

Councillor Garth Craig, who met with club officials and Mr Lipsett on Monday, said given the condition of the current clubhouse, he hopes the drive to secure funding will be successful to allow the bowling club to provide up-to-date facilities.

“This is a single skin building which is hard to heat and does not accommodate the needs of club members and visiting teams,” he continued. “The building is well past its sell-by-date and there is no doubt about the need to replace it as soon as possible.

“Club officials are keen to explore all possible funding opportunities and Monday’s meeting was very positive. Securing funding is the key moving forward and I hope it won’t be too long before the facilities available in Ballynahinch will be on a par with those of other teams in the Northern Ireland Private Greens League.”