One of SA’s oldest bowling clubs gets pep in its step
One of the state’s historic bowling clubs is rolling its eastern suburbs greens into the modern age. Adelaide MP Lucy Hood was there for its official opening, admitting that she is “an avid bowler”.
Dating back to 1917, the Walkerville Bowling and Community Club now has a brand-new home, with the Walkerville Mayor Melissa Jones describing its old facility as “falling down” and “decrepit”.
“The building was about 60 years old, and it was pretty decrepit in parts, and it really was at the end of its life, so we needed to do something more than a renovation,” she said.
“The people of Walkerville want to live in a place they’re proud to call home, and having a facility like this makes it really special, and everyone in the community has been so behind this project – I haven’t heard about anyone who hasn’t been happy to see the new Walkerville bowling club.”
Jones officially opened the new building on Friday evening alongside Adelaide MP Lucy Hood – an “avid bowler” – and Walkerville Bowling and Community Club president Richard Murrie, who said he felt like a “proud grandfather”, claiming the plan was first mooted more than 20 years ago.
“Today, I feel like a proud grandfather. I have nurtured, provided support, advice and guidance to this project. As people who know me know, I’m very passionate about this bowling club – I truly love this club. I’ve watched the baby grow over the past nine months into a strapping youngster we should all be proud of,” said Murrie.
“The WBC has a proud 100-year history, and it’s my wish that this building will still be a good bowling club when I am gone in another 100-plus years. We have, arguably, the best grass greens in the state, and now, without doubt, the best bowling club in the state.”
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The council-driven project cost $5.2 million and was jointly funded by the Town of Walkerville and the state government’s Local Government Infrastructure Partnership, with a 50-50 split.
Jones said the funding allowed them to knock down the old building in December last year and create a purpose-built facility for the bowling club, which will double as a function space for the local community.
As part of the redevelopment, the Walkerville Oval precinct also saw new cricket nets, multi-use courts and new lighting installed.
Jones said the council extensively consulted with the bowling club to make sure the building was fit for purpose, whilst also ensuring the design included facilities such as a commercial kitchen and bar so that it could be used as a function space.
“We spent a lot of time talking to the bowling club, and they did give us feedback on the design … because they are the primary users of the facility, but it needed to be able to be used by lots of other groups as well,” she said.
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Jones said the redeveloped YMCA, to be known as The W: Walkerville Recreation Centre, is expected to be completed in early December, adding that the council is exploring ways that the two facilities can be co-used.
To be constructed by Hutchinson Builders, the W will feature a multi-purpose, two-court stadium catering for basketball, netball, pickleball, badminton and volleyball, as well as gymnastics, dance and community events.
Hood acknowledged her predecessor, Rachel Sanderson’s contribution to the project and said she was blown away to see the new facility, being an avid bowler herself.
“It’s vital to communities because it keeps people fit, both mentally and physically, connected to the community. The social element is incredible, and so, this has just been a service in so many ways,” she said.
Hood said she used to be a netballer but took up lawn bowls after snapping her Achilles tendon following the birth of her second child.
“I’m also a night owl player here, so I have been here for a number of years now. The Hoods bowling team played here every Thursday, and it’s just such a beautiful community,” she said.
“Every Thursday night, we’d be here having a barbecue to start playing the games, and then we’d go into the club rooms for a raffle and a few jokes, a few drinks and a good time.”
