Our Club was officially opened on 17 December 1917.
The first site was located on a section of land purchased from the Canterbury Provincial Council in 1851 by Captain Stephan Fisher that became known as the Fisher Estate. The green was situated between Fisher Avenue and Waimea Terrace.
The Club developed over the following years with a lot of fund raising and hard work by a devoted group of members. Even in those early days the Club was very innovative with a lobby for daylight saving in 1922 which was introduced in 1928. In 1923 saw the installation of electric lighting followed by the establishment of our Women’s club in 1931 – the first women’s club in Christchurch.
The year of 1947 saw the opening of the green on our present site with an ex army hut as the pavilion. This remained the facilities we used through to the building of our present pavilion in 1961. The army hut was removed to become the scout den in Centarus Road. The foundations for the new pavilion were laid in June 1961 with the opening taking place in April 1962. A feat to be wondered at today for something as large as this to be completed in such a short time by volunteer labour of club members.
We continued to operate from both sites up until 1976 with the original site reverting back to the City Council and this was then on sold for private housing. One of the major things missing from our present site was the unique sheltered setting we had at the old site. This environment enabled the club to hold lighted green tournaments two nights a week for many years playing through till 10.30pm, these were both enjoyable and very competitive. With players from all over Christchurch entering it was sad that this was lost.
Over the years since we have been based in Waimea Terrace many upgrades to all areas of the property have taken place making our present facilities one of the most up to date clubs in Christchurch.
Since our establishment we have had many of the countries top players representing our club. The Club has been successful in wining many centre and even New Zealand titles with members representing our club at both centre and New Zealand level. This is something our present members and I am sure our founders would all be justly proud.
In 2009 the club excelled by achieving the title of “Club of the Year” across New Zealand as did Barry in being named “Administrator of the Year”. Add to this was the awards of a “Club Gold Award” from Bowls New Zealand and a “Gold Mark Award” from Sport Canterbury.
We were then to create history in the bowling world as a club when we were awarded the title of Club of the Year for a second year (in a row) – a feat we can all be justly proud.
As a progressive club we proudly promoted a very successful Crack a Jack Bowls for non bowlers with over 300 players enjoying the fun with many now members of our club. The on green training and coaching for all members along with performance based selection of teams has given all members an equal chance to progress in our sport.
As we look to the future we are focusing on growing our club in the community of South Christchurch, making our club a true community assest.
No. of greens:
2 natural
Amenities:
- Clubhouse
- Kitchen
- Licensed bar
- BBQ area
- EFTPOS
- Defibrillator
- Wheelchair access
- Facility hire
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