By BRIDGET SCOTT
A FUNDING promise announced for the Hampton Park Bowls Club would allow members to get full use of their facilities again.
Severe flooding two years ago split a brand new green, and members have not been able to make full use of it since.
On Saturday 8 November, Assistant Treasurer Gordon Rich-Phillips joined Liberal candidate for Narre Warren South Susan Serey to announce $120,000 for a new synthetic green at the site under a re-elected Napthine Government.
Club chairman Neville Hendrie said this was “most definitely welcomed news” and said it would take the pressure off the council that would otherwise have had to help the bowls club find money to repair the existing green.
Mr Hendrie said members had been able to use only half the green since the flooding.
“We only use it as a last resort,” he said.
“We are a bit restricted at the moment.”
He said it was disappointing to see it ruined after the club had fought for a new green for around 10 years.
Ms Serey welcomed the announcement and said a funding boost would be appreciated by all members.
“The club has had some hard times over the last couple of years with major flooding damaging the bowling green surfaces,” Ms Serey said.
“I am pleased to have strongly advocated for additional funding for the club which will be able to install the second synthetic green under a re-elected Napthine Government.”
Mr Hendrie said the club is also lobbing for an extension so it can welcome more members to the club.
“At the moment we can only sit 64 people down, but our membership is over 80,” he said.
“If people want to bring a partner along they can’t.”
Ms Serey said it this green will help absorb the increased demand from residents”.
Mr Rich-Phillips added that it would be a great addition for the entire Hampton Park community.
“A strong economy and a government the Hampton Park community can trust means we can create more jobs, improve facilities like the bowls club and do more to help families get ahead,” he said.
