Community
19 April, 2025
Vollies key to club upgrades
A $373,500 extension to the Marlin Coast Bowls Club pays tribute to the dedicated work of 50-plus volunteers who run the 38-year-old sporting venue.
The 10m wide expansion, which includes a new kitchen and seating area overlooking the covered green, was opened last week by Sports and Olympics Minister Tim Mander in front of nearly 100 club members and guests.
The state government chipped in $250,000 with the club funding the balance. The club is also financing an extension to the bar as well.
The project was made possible through the government under the Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport’s ‘minor infrastructure grant program’.
It follows a $500,000 roof in 2015 and a few years later by a new $250,000 green.
Club chairman David Smith said the organisation was formed in 1987 by dedicated volunteers who had the vision to create a first class bowls venue on the northern beaches. He said first attempts to apply for grants to expand the clubhouse in 2021 were unsuccessful, first with a change of federal government and then a failure to gain a state government grant in round one. But the second submission was successful.
Mr Smith said Boscon was the main contractor who brought the project on time and within budget.
The building company was also involved in the bar extension which would be operational within a month, he said.
Mr Smith said the club was available as a safe and reasonably priced venue for functions, including barefoot bowls, birthday parties and weddings.
The hours varied Monday to Saturday and it is closed on Sundays.
Mr Smith said the club’s success was due to its dedicated volunteers.
“We are run totally by volunteers. We don’t have one paid person,” he said.
“We have bar staff, kitchen staff, greenkeepers, groundskeepers, event organisers … all volunteers.”
Mr Mander said he visited many sporting clubs and all were different.
“I can feel the vibe, I can feel the positivity (here),” he said.
“Obviously the club members are close and create a true community spirit.”
Mr Mander said the government encouraged people to play sport and be active and the bowls club was part of that ethos.
“Bowls is an iconic sport and you have magnificent facilities,” he said.
“Well done to all and those who had real vision.
“It’s great to see you have had skin in the game because the government can’t do everything.”
Mr Mander said it was important for the government to invest in such facilities to encourage people to get active.
He said the government’s $250 million ‘Games On’ program was providing the funds for new and upgraded sporting venues.
Mr Mander said the 2032 Brisbane games were, not just for the south-east, but across the state with Barlow Park to be upgraded for football games and the convention centre would be the venue for indoor sports.
