Bowlers at the Buninyong Bowls Club are enjoying a revitalised playing surface following a City of Ballarat investment of more than $500,000 in the club’s synthetic green.
The ageing surface has been replaced to improve playability, accessibility and safety, ensuring the facility can continue to support social, recreational and competitive bowls for years to come.
With older adults making up a large proportion of the club’s more than 100 affiliated and social members, accessibility and mobility improvements were a key focus of the project. New handrails, surrounding concrete paths and improved access onto the green have made the facility easier and safer to navigate.
City of Ballarat Acting Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor joined club members this week to officially open the revitalised synthetic green.
“The Buninyong Bowls Club is an important hub for recreation, wellbeing and social connection, particularly for many older members of our community,” he said.
“These upgrades have delivered a safer, more accessible green that will support participation in lawn bowls and help the club continue to thrive for many years to come.
“Together with recent improvements to the Buninyong Netball Courts, Community Cricket Nets and BMX Track, we’re ensuring that Buninyong residents have access to high-quality facilities, no matter how they choose to be active.”
Pictured: Acting Mayor Cr Ben Taylor officially opened the new synthetic green this week
The upgraded synthetic green provides bowlers with a high-quality, consistent playing surface while supporting increased participation and year-round use. The all-weather surface reduces closures and maintenance impacts, allowing more members, visitors and community groups to enjoy the facility more often. New rink numbering, accessories and landscaping improvements have further enhanced the venue.
The renewed playing surface positions the club to support continued participation and growth in lawn bowls across Buninyong and the wider region.
Buninyong Bowls Club Vice President, Wayne Morgan said the upgrade would benefit members and visitors for years to come.
“This is a wonderful addition to our club that will allow our members to have year-round access to the green, whereas previously we could only bowl when the grass green was available, which was often impacted by Ballarat’s weather,” he said.
“This new green will improve the Buninyong Bowling Club in terms of junior participation, competition and accessibility. In addition, it will expand our school and coaching programs and provide more opportunities for community access to our facility.”
Pictured: Members enjoyed a bowl on the new synthetic green
