Sighthill Bowling Club bowled over with new facilities
Thursday 14 June 2007
Supported by an award of £125,000 from sportscotland’s Building for Sport programme, the club will benefit from a new clubhouse including a new family room, changing rooms, storage, indoor bowls practice area, new club offices, greenkeepers’ accommodation as well as improved disabled access. The new facilities will enable the club to increase its junior membership, host competitions as well as providing access for disabled bowlers and spectators.
The club recognises that to secure its future membership it has to make the sport more appealing to younger people and hosting the final of the Scottish Under-25 Championships on Sunday 17 June will help this. The final between Edinburgh & Leith and Dunbartonshire will see five members, who have progressed through the club’s junior section, involved in the team and will showcase the sport to a younger audience.
The new facilities have allowed the club to attract the 2007 British Isles Championships and International Series taking place later this month (26 June – 1 July). The event is the national championships between Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, Jersey and Guernsey and will attract 2,000 plus competitors and spectators over the five days. In Scotland the Championships are very seldom played outwith the National Bowling Centre in Ayr and it is a great achievement that the club has managed to attract this event for a second time, previously in 1974. The new clubhouse has a viewing area, which is ideal for spectators, as well as a family area where young and old alike can enjoy the atmosphere of the big event. In addition, City of Edinburgh Council has provided funding towards temporary grandstands to expand spectator accommodation.
The club was established in 1948 and has a thriving membership of over 350. The new facilities will ensure this is maintained and increased and see the club firmly placed as an excellent competition venue as well as a vibrant community sports facility.
Alan Wharton, President of Sighthill Bowling Club said: “Without the aid of sportscotland and the tremendous support of their team, this project would not have happened. There have been many club members who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this a success. We can now move forward with our ambition to encourage more people to take up the sport of bowling and help to encourage everyone to come along and experience what a great friendly sport bowls is. It is an ideal opportunity to meet new friends and enjoy the relaxed social atmosphere after a game.”
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, said: “sportscotland is delighted to have supported this excellent project with an award of £125,000 from sportscotland’s Building for Sport Programme, supporting the development of the sport of bowls within in the west of Edinburgh.”
“The new facility has already allowed the club to attract a major championships raising the profile of the sport. This will hopefully encourage more people of all ages and abilities in the community to take up bowls, offering them the opportunity to participate and develop in sport.”
- Local Councillor Rob Cairns who is Chair of Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council will officially open the facilities.
- Other funders of the project have included: Belhaven Brewery and club funds.
- Media representatives are invited to attend.