Papanui Bowling Club moving to new site

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32219, 11 February 1970, Page 11

Papanui Bowling Club moving to new site

'THE Papanui Bowling x Club will shortly move from the Langdons Road site whieh has been its home since the club's foundation in 1911 to a new headquarters at Mclntosh Park in Condell Avenue. The club has laid two cotula greens at the new site and there can be little

doubt that the bowling surfaces are as good as can be found anywhere in Canterbury. Both greens measure 120 ft by 120 ft This season the club has been using both the Langdons Road and Condell Avenue greens, but April 4 will be the last day at Langdons Road. The property

has been sold to a business firm. The next step in the development of Condell Avenue will be the erection of a $50,000 pavilion and it is hoped to have this built in time for the official opening of the green next October. Plans for the pavilion have been drawn up and with a ground floor of 125 ft by 40ft and a second floor of 40ft by 40ft it will include all possible amenities required by bowlers. The rapidly • expanding north-west area of Christ-

church, especially in the Bishopdale suburb, forced the club to look for larger premises and already the new green has been instrumental in attracting 30 new members. The club’s total membership now stands at 128 and the women's club has 45 members. On April 11, the week after the final day at Langdons Road, the club will hold an open day at its new green to which any persons interested in taking up the game are invited. This season the two Condell Avenue greens have been used three days a week and during the recent Dominion tournament in Christchurch they were used for the pairs and singles championships. Visiting—as well as local—bowlers have spoken highly of the surfaces. One of the greens’ greatest attributes is the excellent drainage system. It is possible for games to be played less than five hours after flooding. It is usual for a green to require up to two days to recover from flooding. The filling-in of the two greens was done under contract, but the sowing of the cotula seed and the formation of the concrete banks was carried out by voluntary labour. The banks are coated with half an inch of rubber chips which cushion a fast-running bowl and drop it straight into the ditch. The club has been fortunate to have as its greenkeeper for the last two years, Mr A. H. Barltrop, a retired marine engineer. Mr Barltrop’s mechanical knowledge has resulted in the Condell Avenue greens being serviced by a firstclass plant.