Club still pursuing funds for facilities

Myrtleford Bowls Club is still pursuing modernisation of its facilities and will seek federal funding to help transform one of its two existing lawn greens to a synthetic woven grass surface and have it permanently covered by roofing. A delegation from the club met with Indi Independent federal MP Helen Haines last week to garner her support and identify grant opportunities for the whole project, estimated to cost between $1.4m to $1.5m. The club wants $350,000 in federal funds to match the $350,000 already secured from the Victorian government, with $540,000 pledged by benefactors and up to $100,000 to be funded by the club. Dr Haines said the Commonwealth’s Growing Regions program was the appropriate grant pathway although the fund has been exhausted, and she recently met with Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King to push for the program's renewal "in the next budget or ideally sooner". “The Myrtleford Bowls Club has done an outstanding job developing high-quality plans and applications for funding to deliver improvements to their club for the benefit of their local community," she said. "I commend them for the strong partnerships they have developed across all levels of government and within the community to build strong support for their project and I’ve been proud to support them through this process." Club past president and chair of the steering committee driving the project, Lance Symons, said Alpine Shire Council, while unable to help fund the project, had offered its support for government grant bids, with Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy supportive too. "We are talking with the Victorian Department of Sport and Recreation about applying for another grant for the project," Mr Symons said. "While we still have a few things to work through on the funding, the ideal scenario would be to do the synthetic rink and its roofing at the same time...for practical use and cost savings, but that will depend on funds available. "If all the funding is secured we would aim to commence work at the end of the pennant season in March next year." Mr Symons said members and the board, with supporters in the community, are committed to the project, which would elevate facilities to be among the best in the North East. "The Ovens and Murray bowls region has 30 clubs and not one has a roof, that would have both health and environmental benefits for all users," he said, noting the closest bowling clubs with covered greens are located at Moama in NSW and in Shepparton. "The improvements would also secure the Myrtleford Bowls Club’s future for the next 30-40 years as a world class facility enabling greater participation in all weather conditions." Mr Symons said it has been a long road to get to this point. "Since receiving $350,000 from the Victorian government in May last year for the project, we've had to sort out a lease in order to access the funding," he explained. "While our club owns the facilities we've developed since 1947, it is government land...owned by DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) and managed by Alpine Shire Council. "We've just signed a 20 year lease, reviewed every six years, with an annual fee of around $300, which council is expected to endorse at next week's council meeting. "We have also engaged a company to do all the building and planning permits and are working through a second lot of concept drawings with architects, to decide on the roofline height (3m, 3.5m, 4m or 4.5m) and design. "Our investigations over the past year have already seen us change from a teflon style roof to colorbond, as it is more economical and practical to maintain." Club president Graeme Piazza said club membership has grown over the past decade to more than 70, not including the 60 or so people playing barefoot bowls. "A synthetic green, with roofing, would allow us to play year-round...offering greater access, and allowing more people to play," he said.

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