With the help from fundraising, a new pavilion is on the cards for Olveston and District Bowling Club.
On the 22nd of July 1933, Olveston Bowling Club officially opened for the first time after Harry Salmon gave permission for the club to be built on his land and on his death in 1945, the land was donated to the club where many a game has been played over the past 81 years.
The club became Olveston and District in 1958 when Thornbury Bowling Club joined them as a result of Thornbury's green being no longer playable and currently, membership is made up from people around South Gloucestershire and Bristol.
During the club's existence a number of pavilions have stood on the ground to accommodate members and visitors alike and the current pavilion and separate changing rooms and toilets have been servicing the club since 1993.
Jim Ritchie, past President, has been a member of the club since 1989 and was one of the members responsible for the current facilities. "What we have has served us well over the years but we are now finding that our pavilion groans with the numbers we now have to accommodate after matches" said Jim.
The club is recognised within the Country and further afield for its facilities and excellent playing green, culminating in a footfall of approximately eight and a half thousand using the green during the 2014 season alone.
"We must look forward and try to understand what the future might hold for us and green bowls in general" said Chairman Ian Curtis. "This is a big project and will cost over �150,000 but we know that people are using the green and the new pavilion will also allow us to encourage disabled people to get involved in bowling which our current set up does not facilitate. The more we can encourage others to use our facilities and still be able to accommodate our members wishes as well, then I would say that we are in a very strong position to see our club surviving for another 80 years" said Ian.
Planning permission has been passed for the new pavilion and the job of raising funds to complete the build is well under way with a completion target of April 2016.
The club plan to hold different activities over the coming year to continue raising the capital required and are currently looking for sponsors to join the club in this project for the future.
Want to know how you can help?
So if you can help in any way towards the club achieving their goal, please telephone Club Secretary Graham Ellis on 07984 136 490.
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