A long-standing bowls club can extend play into the evening after switching on a $200,000 lighting upgrade.
Pelican Waters Bowls Club has installed new lighting on greens one and two with funding from the state government’s Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program.
The project includes six 12m poles and eight luminaire lights, allowing the club to offer more night-time bowls.
Club chairperson Bob Reid said the upgrade would create more opportunities for people unable to play during the day.
“This is a major step forward for our club and it means we will be able to expand and better serve our community,” he said.
“We want to see the club grow and offer opportunities for more people to get on the green and have fun playing bowls.
“Installing the lights affords people who are busy during the day to take up the sport, be healthier and make new friends.”
The club has served the Caloundra area for almost 50 years.
Member for Caloundra Kendall Hatcher said the additional playing hours could also allow the club to host more corporate, trade, sponsor and barefoot bowls events.
“Pelican Waters Bowls Club has been an integral part of Caloundra for nearly half a century, and these new lights mean it will continue to serve the community for generations to come,” she said.
“Better facilities attract greater participation, and we will see a new wave of people coming to the club to play night-time bowls.”
The funding forms part of a $1m 2024 state government election commitment through Games On! to improve lighting at four sporting clubs in the Caloundra electorate.
Games On! is supporting 119 projects across Queensland under its first round, including upgrades to lighting and other community sporting infrastructure.
Sport and Racing Minister Tim Mander said community clubs played an important role in encouraging participation and connection.
“They are run by hard-working volunteers and are the backbone of participation, inclusion and connection for so many Queenslanders,” he said.
“We remain committed to supporting these clubs through infrastructure investment that helps sport and participation to grow.”
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Mr Reid said the club was grateful for the funding.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government for its support through the Games On! program.”
More information about the Games On! Grassroots Infrastructure Program is available through the Queensland government website.
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