At about midnight on the 2nd March 2020, a fire caused severe damage to the club house at The Greens The Entrance bowling club. This week, nine months later, I caught up with both
Neil Williams and Dick Thornton (separately), to find out what is happening at the club. Here's what I can tell you...
This building (the old greenkeepers shed) is now our home until at least the end of 2021. The inside of the fire affected building has been cleared of all debris and hazardous materials. Several plan options have been drawn up already by our parent club, Mingara and are now awaiting final decision by the insurance company. Construction of an exciting new Club will begin forthwith.
In the meantime, the ‘shed’ has undergone a complete upgrade with carpeted men’s and ladies locker rooms, kitchenette, toilets, security, aircon, a new awning and BBQ facilities, just some of the amenities being provided to help us through 2021. Two massive palm trees were removed to allow this under cover area to be realised!
All four greens are being maintained to a top class level by Green Options led by head green-keeper, Peter Thornton. Peter will also be bowling with us next year!
New sun shades have been installed around Green One, with upgraded seating.
Draft beer is about to be a reality as the temporary cool room and bar are almost completed. Early next year Mingara are aiming for coffee and light food to be available also.
Mingara and our men’s and ladies committees are working tirelessly to ensure The Greens will be a great success story after much adversity recently.
All our members are extremely proud of our Club and willingly volunteer to help wherever needed (members actually maintained the greens for a month earlier in the year).As we only have bottled refreshments at present, members collect and cash in the empties to boost our account balance!
Many thanks to Neil (on behalf of the committee) and Dick (on behalf of the bowlers) for the much appreciated update...on behalf of everyone in Zone 15 / BCC, we wish The Greens The Entrance and Mingara a successful outcome.
Peter Springett - Publicity Officer, Bowls Central Coast
Picture 1 (top) is of 'the Shed' and the bottom picture is of the 'portable bar'...
