BY IAN THORPE
It has been a colder and wetter spring than usual to this point, which has caused some serious problems for those who enjoy outdoor lawn bowling.
The Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club is one of our city’s oldest sports organizations, with this year marking its 94th year of operation. The club’s home green is located in the beautiful setting of Bowen Park, with the clubhouse adjacent to the Bowen activity centre.
Plans are well underway for the start of another bowling season which will get underway later this month. However, our recent unseasonable weather has made it impossible for groundskeepers to get the bowling green in satisfactory condition for the year ahead.
Two weekends ago, NLBC members gathered at the clubhouse for the annual spring general meeting, where plans were outlined for the coming season of play. Returning as president for another term is Bernice Urbaniak, assisted by vice-president Ron Chisholm. Vernie Dawkin is the secretary and Barbara Berg the club treasurer. Others on the board of directors include Frances Tester, Vern Hagstrom, Fred Hulke, John Randle, David Mitchell and Kathleen Hewitt.
Once it gets started, the lawn bowling season will continue through the summer months until the end of September. There are leagues to suit just about anyone, including men’s, ladies’, mixed and sight-impaired leagues. Competition formats are also diverse, with games for singles, doubles, triples and foursomes all scheduled as various times.
Many club games are designed for those who simply want to bowl for fun, but those who wish to enter more competitive inter-club tournaments can do so. Lessons are available from qualified club coaches and beginners have the use of club bowls for the first two years at no charge, so there is no need to immediately buy equipment. The club also prides itself on its strong social component and during the season there are numerous social events such as tea and bowls, potluck dinners, fun club tournaments and barbecues.
Visitors and new members are always welcome and prior to the start of each season the club holds open houses for any interested members of the community. One such open house will be this coming Saturday (April 15), from 1-4 p.m. and another will be held during the same hours April 22. Unfortunately, the poor state of the green has thrown a wrench into the works. Taking expert advice, it has been decided to close the green for play or practice for the entire month of April to give time for new grass seed to take hold.
That said, the open houses will still go ahead as scheduled. Instead of using the outside green, instruction will be held on an indoor mat inside the clubhouse. Club coaches will be on hand to assist and explain the basics of the game. Equipment will be supplied, but guests are asked to wear comfortable clothing and flat-soled shoes.
The official opening day of the season has been set for April 23. Members will wear their ‘whites’ for ceremonies to be held starting at 1 p.m. that day, but again the ceremonies will be held inside the clubhouse. It is hoped that by May the Bowen Park green will be back in shape and busy most days of the week with bowlers enjoying friendly games and social competition.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.