The Collingwood Lawn Bowling Club’s new president would like to get some new blood out on the grass rink this year.
On May 26, the club will be hosting an open house to celebrate their opening day at the rink at 45 Paterson St. from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is free to attend, includes a barbecue social and more seasoned players will be present to show any newbies the ropes.
It’s been nearly 40 years since the club was incorporated, and president Jane Moore is hoping people who have never tried the sport before will attend this weekend.
“We’ve been working hard,” Moore told CollingwoodToday this week. “Come out and try it, and I’m sure you’ll be enthused by it.”
The objective of lawn bowling, also known as “Bowls,” is to roll a biased ball down a grass “rink” and get it as close as possible to a smaller ball on the other side, called the “jack.”
The game is typically played on a large, manicured grass arena that has been divided into several rinks. It’s a mix between regular bowling and bocce ball.
For this season so far, Moore said 41 members are currently signed up, hopefully with more to come. To try to attract players of all ages, the club will be having some night bowling events this season so people who work during the day can also participate.
“Hopefully, we’ll get more members. We’re hoping for 60 or more,” she said. “We’re hoping some students, or people who are working to attend.”
The Collingwood Lawn Bowling Club was incorporated in November 1984, with a lease signed and construction starting at that time at their current location at 45 Paterson St. The greens were officially opened in May 1996. The town owns the greens and clubhouse, while the club is responsible for maintaining it with a greenkeeper and volunteers. The season runs from May 30 until Sept. 30 every year.
The club was successful is securing an Ontario Trillium grant last year to the tune of $73,200, which was used to replace rotting and unsafe ditches on the Collingwood field. The clubhouse was painted this year as well.
“There’s a great group of people who play, and it’s great exercise without straining yourself too hard,” said Moore.
For more information on the Collingwood Lawn Bowling Club, click here.
-- With files from Maddie Johnson
