Bowls club for Little River

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 44

Bowls club for Little River

A lawn bowls club at Little River came a step nearer recently with approval by the Wairewa County Council for land it owns in the Okuti Valley to be used for the purpose. The idea of a bowls club in Little River has been around for some time, a need being felt to fill the large land gap between Waihora, at Motukarara, and Akaroa. Some positive moves were made five years ago, but they faulted when a site could not be found. The land offered by the council is up the Okuti Valley, exactly 2&km from Little River. And with it comes a building, the old Okuti Valley School, which can be converted, into a clubhouse. A general committee has been formed, under the chairmanship of Dave Cadman, and two other Little River enthusiasts, Jim Adams and Nick Becker,- have been appointed to head finance and works committees respectively. Discussions ■ have already been , held with Bill Fiecken, ofthe Christchurch Turf Research Association and the greenkeeper at the Beckenham club, about the laying of a cotula green, with Mr Fieckfcn offering every: “Finance is our first

priority," said Mr Adams. “Although we will have voluntary labour it is going to cost at least $lO,OOO to : put down a green and all up we will probably need at least $25,000 to get started.” However, Mr Adams is confident-that this target can be. reached and he believes that Little River will have; an operating bowling club by the summer after next Nor does Mr Adams have any worries about attracting members. “We believe we can start with about 50, which is a lot more than some clubs have. We have most of the Peninsula to draw from, particularly people living, or. with houses, on the outer bays. Akaroa is a fair way away for them.” If Little River does get established and become affiliated to the Canterbury Provincial Bowling Association it will bring to 76 the number of clubs belonging to the centre. Another direct benefit to the bowlers of Banks Peninsula is that a club at Little River could lead to the establishment of a sub-centre, • enabling the five clubs to the east of Christchurch — Akaroa, Diamond Harbour, Waihora, Tai Tapuj and Little Rivdr to eonage in competitions ’of 'Weir own.