White Rock Lawn Bowling Club sees membership boost despite pandemic (Peace Arch News)
Over the course of the last 14 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered, slowed down or otherwise set back numerous businesses and organizations. Sports, of course, have also taken a hit, as most competitions have been stuck on the sideline due to provincial regulations. But at least one local group – the White Rock Lawn Bowling Club – is thriving, explained long time executive member Yvette Symes. Though the club is open year-round, Symes said it is very rare that new members sign up during the winter months. However, this past winter, the club had numerous inquiries that resulted in 29 new members. Symes, who is in charge of membership at the club, chalked up the boost to people seeking new social activities during the pandemic, considering many other activities – especially those geared towards seniors – have been shut down. “People would stroll by and see members playing and would ask how they could become members, so they could play with distancing and, to a certain extent, have a much needed social connection during COVID,” Symes told Peace Arch News. Two of those new members are Michael and Miriam Cox, who told PAN via email that they first became intrigued by the sport after passing the club each day. “At the beginning of (the pandemic) there was very little two retirees could do… Our morning walk always took us past the bowling club… and we decided that if allowed, we would join,” they wrote, adding that they finally joined later in the year once health-restrictions relaxed slightly. They typically play three times a week, and are usually paired with more experienced club members. “It is an afternoon to look forward to,” they said.
Carpet Replacement Project – 2021
One of White Rock’s oldest and most treasured sporting institutions has been given a long-awaited facelift.
White Rock Lawn Bowling Club, situated in a quiet location on the corner of Dolphin and Royal, has been promoting the game of lawn bowls in the local population for over 85 years.
Originally inaugurated back in 1934 with a natural grass playing surface, the club switched to an artificial one in 2008 with the introduction of a special synthetic carpet imported from the UK.
The main advantage of this artificial surface is that it enables the club to operate year-round; a traditional grass green is only available during the summer months. It is also much more economic as the maintenance costs are significantly lower than for grass.
The carpet has been subject to wear and tear from constant use over the 13 years since it was installed. Hence the much anticipated facelift. This involves removing the old carpet to expose the underlying elastic layer. This elastic layer is an ideal base for the carpet above as it can be laid to an exacting level, is very porous and provides a comfortable soft surface on which to walk and bowl.
An interesting point about the elastic layer is that it is made of a mixture of shredded scrap rubber tires with a polyurethane binder. The majority of BC’s scrap tires are recycled into fine granules of rubber (crumb rubber) and used to create this elastic layer.
In these green recycling times, the use of these scrap vehicle tires is encouraged by an organization, Tire Stewardship of BC, who supports projects who actively use recycled rubber.
The new elastic layer was completed by local BC firm, Ocean Marker Sports Surfaces, and was followed by the laying of a new carpet sourced from a UK supplier based in Scotland.
Now that the new carpet is installed, the club will have the benefit of a high-class surface to bowl on. This will mean better instruction and training for new bowlers who are essential for the continued success and growth of this amazing community asset.
The club has been an oasis offering peace and tranquility year round in a friendly social atmosphere – so important in the stressful times that have prevailed recently during covid.
The club has an active membership of over 150 persons providing sporting and social facilities. The club benefits from a wide range of bowling experience from novices through to tournament bowlers competing in provincial and national events.
After a fun afternoon on the green with your fellow bowlers you can repair to the well-appointed clubhouse and enjoy a drink and a chat with your newfound friends.
So, any readers, young or not so young, are encouraged to drop in to see our new green and the facility. There will be an opportunity to ask about the game and ask about this friendly, inexpensive sport. Contact Mary Wright our Head Coach: marywright@shaw.ca for a visit and to roll a few bowls.
