Fine New Pavilion For Beckenham Bowlers

Press, Volume C, Issue 29563, 12 July 1961, Page 13

Fine New Pavilion For Beckenham Bowlers

; A NEW pavilion costing £4OOO. which will contain the larges*, indoor bowl- ' ing rink in Canterbury is under construction at the ‘ Beckenham Bowling Club’s gteen in Waimea terrace. When the Beckenham Bowling Cub. one of the oldest chibs in Christchurch, found that increasing membership fully taxed its resources at its green in Fisher avenue a second- green was purchased in Waimea terrace and the new green was opened in 1947. The pavilion erected at the comprised did ar&y Tufts. ''and Members have always considered the need for a new pavilion. At the end of last year a building committee was formed to plan the new pavilion. The committee, Messrs B. Ayson (ehairman), F. J. Scapens (secretary), F. W. Allen, A. Sharp. F. Howarth and R. H. Brown, began with an accumulated fund of about £BOO and with the aid of a koan of £l5OO from the Christchurch City Council and bearer bonds taken up by members, it is now in such a position that construction has started. The pavilion, which will be built of concrete blocks, is divided into three main rooms—an amenity room. including lockers and chang-

ing rooms, a social room and a targe indoor rink. The indoor rinks will provide the best facilities for .winter bowls in Canterbury

The indoor rink, which is 81ft by 43ft, will have three rinks 70ft long. It is the first rink in Christchurch on which large bowls can be used. The rinks will have a rubberised surface and ditches at the end of the rink, almost the same as an outdoor rink. In the social room, which will be used for morning and afternoon teas, there is provision for three rinks for indoor bowls, using small bowls. This room is 43ft by 31ft. A feature of this room is the large plate glass windows which will allow members to watch bowlers on the outside green, Mr Ayson said that it was hoped to have the indoor bowling rinks in full use next winter. At present it is planned to have them in use all day. In the mornings the women would use the rinks. In the afternoon they would be available for friendly games and in the evenings competition matches would be played. One other advantage of the indoor rink is that it ean be used in summer when rain has stopped outdoor bowls.