A RIVERLAND West bowling club will spend a total of $1.2 million on the construction and installation of a permanent dome cover over its greens, following a grant funding announcement last week.
The Waikerie Bowling Club (WBC) received $600,000 from the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions grants program, with Member for Barker Tony Pasin making the announcement to club and community members last Friday.
Mr Pasin said the cover will be the first SA bowls clubs country dome of this type.
“When (club chair) Roger (Davies) showed me around the Waikerie Bowling Club earlier this year, I was blown away by the quality of the facilities,” he said.
“The club members, along with the local council – in particular those in Waikerie – are very passionate about their community.
“This dome cover will be unique and iconic, and hopefully attract many visitors to the region.
“We are moving from a health crisis to a jobs crisis, but this project will create jobs and bring more visitors to Waikerie, which in turn will boost the town’s economy.”
Last December, the District Council of Loxton Waikerie (DCLW) voted in favour of providing the WBC with $250,000 of in-kind funding, and a $250,000 loan if its application was successful.
DCLW Mayor Leon Stasinowsky said the dome cover will be a “great showcase” for Waikerie and the Riverland.
“It gives me great pleasure to see this project unfolding in a positive light,” he said.
“The Waikerie Bowling Club is a great team of people who are very passionate and all support each other, and put in a lot of work, not just for their club but for the whole Waikerie community.
“Thank you to Mr Pasin for all the work he has done to secure enormous grants for our entire region.
“I am really looking forward to seeing when this dome cover is completed.”
With $170,000 to contribute to the dome cover, club president Roger Davies said the club has financial reserves in case the construction goes over budget.
“We are going to start getting rid of the shades immediately, and most of the actual construction work will not take place on the bowling club greens,” he said.
“With COVID-19 restrictions in place, we estimate it will take about 24 weeks for the project to be completed, so it will be up and ready for use for the 2020/21 bowls season.
“Thank you to Mr Pasin for his effort in getting this project funding across the line, and to Mr Stasinowsky, DCLW CEO David Beaton and the councillors for their efforts and support, and in particular councillor Peter Walker for initially speaking to me about seeking government funding for this huge project.
“And thank you to all our members here at the bowling club for their passion and support, in particular the club grants committee – Drew Schapel, Brian Rogers, Barry Harden and Bob Nicholls.
“There’s going to be a lot of work to do here at the club, but we’re very fortunate to have so many great volunteers.”
Mr Pasin said the building work can begin immediately.
“Well done to the bowling club members and the council in all their work to see this project getting off the ground,” he said.
“It will be another great and unique attraction for Waikerie.”