BOWLS:Stadium open for business

AFTER weeks of speculation the Provincial Towns Bowling Stadium is open for business.

Faced with a nightmare scenario of stadium bowls closing in this area after 26 years, the members of the Provincial Towns Indoor bowls club elected a steering committee to investigate the possibility of retaining bowls in the area.

This committee was lead by Gary McCloy and supported by Trevor Colvin, Alice Elliott, Willie McCaw, Ian McClure, Tommy Smith and Morris McCullagh.

The newly elected President, Gary McCloy, this week told Times Sport that a newly club had been formed at the Ballybrakes Road venue.

“After weeks of meetings and negotiations with interested parties we can happily announce a new club has been formed ‘The Ballybrakes Community Indoor Bowls Club’,” said Gary.

“It’s a new regime, a new management committee and things we hope will be run more effectively and efficiently than in the past.

“The doors will be open from Tuesday night coming and we propose to have two ‘open evening taster sessions’ which are free on Thursday and Friday nights beginning at 7pm.

“Our short term aim is just to get things up and running.

“But long term we aim to promote the game of bowls for all age groups in this area and ensure that we have a facility to be proud of which is self sustaining.

“Our key message that we want to get out to the bowling fraternity is that we are open for business and require the support of the local bowlers to make the venture work.

“It is important to emphasis the break with the past and that we are looking forward to building up a successful club.”

The new Management Committee have several ideas to build up their membership and try and entice new bowlers to take up the sport.

“We are looking to hold several taster evenings to get people in and hopefully they will develop a love for the sport,” explained Gary.

“We will also be looking to introduce free coaching to beginners.

“Another big thing for us is to try and involve the local councils in terms of sports development as well as getting out to the local schools to try and get more young people interested in the sport.

“It is a fantastic facility to have on your doorstep and I’d encourage as many people as possible to come along and get involved in their local bowling stadium.

“We would like to put on record our thanks to Mr Guy (landlord) for his support in taking this venture forward. And Victor Dallas for all his help and advice.”

The new league formats at the venue are as follows:

Evening leagues

Monday 7pm - 9pm - Ladies ‘open draw’ rinks; Tuesday 7-9 - Mixed Novice rinks; Wednesday - 7-9 - Shortmat and championship play; Thursday - 7-9 - Open rinks; Friday - 7-9 - Mixed league

Morning and afternoon leagues

Monday - 2-4 - Mixed Vets league; Wednesday - 2-4 Luck dip rinks; Thursday 2-4 Mixed vets rinks; Friday - Early riser triples league; Saturday - 2-4 - Open 2 rink team league

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