Parklands Bowling Club has a excellent record of improving club facilities. These improvements benefit our members, non-members who come to try bowls and local organisations that hire our hall for functions.

Some of the work is contracted, but much is achieved by our members who have the necessary skills.  Money is found from various sources, including members donations, donations from other sports clubs for help with their events, raffles, commercial sponsorship and corporate bowls events.  In addition we are grateful for the support of a number of Trusts.

Our largest projects for some time were the rebuild of our Bowling Greens, both of which suffered in the Earthquakes, and were both re-built.  The photos below are a record of the amazing work by Andrew Bowden 'Barney' (Green Supervisor), Bob Rhodes (Greenkeeper) and many other members of the club. 

Green 1 Re-build

The re-build method is by using strong pre-formed concrete pieces in an upside down T shape. This results in an ability to provide very strong foundations and may be the first time this construction method has been used for a bowls green. Many thanks are due to Paul Mathers and his team for building these units.

Please browse the photographs below:-

The shape of the new pre-cast sections allows for the later addition of hardwood facing to some of the surfaces.

The old broken concrete ditch surrounds are removed.

Digging a wider ditch for the foundations for the pre-cast surrounds.

Hardcore and crusher dust is installed.

Compacting the foundation level.

Using a forklift to install the pre-formed concrete.

Leveling the pre-cast sections using the Lazer level.

The concrete sides of Green 1 are almost complete.

Bob cuts the top off Green 1 with a turf cutter.

The cuttings become the main back-fill for the green surrounds.

Digging the soil for the back-fill.

Placing, compacting and raking the back-fill to the green surrounds

Cutting the last section of the pre-cast green surrounds to fit.

Maurice and Graham make the hardwood plinth boards.

Barney and Bob drill the concrete surrounds and bolt on the plinths.  The underside of the wood is packed with thin wood shims to a level decided by lazer.

All plinth boards bolted into place ready for the green to be graded.

Using a rotary hoe to prepare the old surface of Green 1.

Leveling the green using a lazer controlled blade, (the lazer unit is in the foreground).

The earth is damp so a helicopter is used to dry it using the downdraft from the rotating blades.

Bob and Barney collect the seed from Green 2 for storage in a cool dry location.  It will be used to spray seed green 1.

Barney and Bob check the green for high points.  These are nail raked and levelled by hand to finish the leveling process.

Spray seeding Green 1 in September 2012, using the seed recovered from Green 2.  The spray is a mixture of water and wood fibre that retains water and promotes germination. 

Barney and Bob install the hardwood top rail to the bank.

Bob, Barney and Bill give the new Green 1 a "Mud Bath" to promote growth of the "weed" surface.

Members work on the banks of Green 1 to get them ready for Grass spray seeding.

The last push.  Members install stones in the ditch ready for the re-opening of Green 1.

Barney cuts and rolls Green 1, which is now open for bowling. 

Green 2 Re-build

Preparation work began on Green 2 in May 2011, and despite large aftershocks, the Green was ready for play in September 2012.

Photographs of the re-build of our Green 2 are presented below:-

The work on Green 2 starts with heavy machinery.

Early grading using a lazer controlled blade.

Lazer control allows an accuracy of around 5mm across the green.

Pegs inserted for the internal ditch wood.

Pat, Ralph and Graham sieve the soil to top dress Green 2.

Graham and Reg make the wood surrounds to the green.

Ensuring the ditches are to the correct dimensions.

Bob starts the final grading of Green 2.

Installing the weed controll mat in Green 2.

Washing the stones for the ditch.

Placing the last of the stones in the ditch.

Green 2 is patch seeded with aqua seed to enable bowling this season.

Projects from Previous Years

A group of members constructed a large viewing deck outside the club house. The deck is off high quality construction and should last the club for many years.

Photo - The new deck.  Many members donated the cost of the furniture

The members also constructed a concrete apron to number one green, under a recently provided shade sail.  New seating and grass surrounds were then installed to give a good finish.

Photo - The new seats, new shade sales, new concrete and grass surrounds; a job well done.

A double mesh wind break was constructed around both greens. This improves the bowling experience in an Easterly wind, especially for those new to the sport.

Photo - The double mesh windbreak is especially useful to new bowlers.

Three large heat pumps were installed in the club house for winter heating. These have enabled the club house to be used and hired in the winter months.  At the same time the club power board was upgraded.

The irrigation scheme to both greens was extended and improved so that the playing surface can be kept in good condition in all weathers.

Photo - Finding the existing irrigation pipes was a problem.

Photo - Laying new pipes under number 2 green.

A small section of spare land at the club was placed under lock and key so that it could be offered to individuals and organisations as a convenient outdoor storage facility. A charge is raised that goes towards future improvements.

The club's Kitchens have also been upgraded, such that they have been approved by the Council for use by commercial caterers. This will be of benefit to the clubs members and anybody who hires the club facilities.

The Club has a business plan and a number of future improvements are intended. These include the sealing of the clinker car park, the use of which is shared with other local organisations including the School, the Kindy and visitors to the adjoining reserve.