Perth Voice Interactive

THE North Perth Bowling and Recreation Club’s resurgence has put such pressure on its grass greens that it’s decided its time to convert one to a synthetic surface.

Back in 2017, the club was just about on its knees (but not in a great drive to the jack kind of way) with only 50 bowlers and double that in social members, until former secretary Dean Evans launched an ambitious plan to recapture its 1950s glory days “Bowl ‘em over,” Voice, October 13, 2017).

Current treasurer Paul Russell says they’ve now got 1300 members, more than 800 coming from the immediate neighbourhood.

“The club fields pennant teams in three divisions on Thursdays and four divisions on Saturdays, and again this year we have had several of those teams promoted through the divisions,” Mr Russell said.

“Three teams played off for pennants flags of which we won two, making it four flags in the last three years.

“With sustained success on the field comes reputation, and with that comes growth, meaning more pennants bowlers wanting to join the club.”

Mr Russell says the state’s bowling association and other clubs have started to take notice of North Perth’s success, as it’s become a great family hub and has even been bringing in the corporate gigs.

But it has come at some cost to the quality of the playing surface and they’ve got plans to put an application into the federal government for $66,000 to convert one of the greens to a plastic surface.

Synthetic

“A synthetic green, while having environmental benefits, is now a necessity to cater for the sustained, increased use that is putting pressure on maintaining the natural grass surface,” Mr Russell said, adding it would also help the club to continue in its expansion.

The club will need Vincent council’s approval to submit the application, as they’re leasing council-owned land, and councillor Ron Alexander said he’d like to see a “sinking fund” to ensure the club doesn’t come back in a few years with caps in hand.

“In applications like these we hear ‘we’re not going to need a green keeper’ and ‘savings on water’ and all those sorts of things; also, we don’t want to see the same club back here in 10 years’ time wanting to replace the synthetic surface,” Cr Alexander said.