Excitement is building in the local bowling community with the start of work on two new crown green bowling greens near Ormskirk Cricket Club.
One of the bowling greens will have a synthetic surface and will be a first for West Lancashire. This will enable year-round bowling and is scheduled to be ready for play sometime in early spring. The other grass green will be ready later in 2016. A small pavilion and toilet facilities will also be provided.
The £176,000 project is funded by West Lancashire Borough Council through money received from developers with the redevelopment of the Comrades Club site.
The greens are being developed on land which was formerly occupied by tennis courts for the old Ormskirk School. Access will be via Ormskirk Cricket Club. A new bowling club has been formed to take on the running of the greens and the club will shortly be issuing details of the future use.
Steve James, Chairman of the new Ormskirk Bowling Club, said: “I am really excited that this scheme is finally coming to fruition after several years of hard work, and would like to thank the Borough Council for their support."
“Crown green bowls is a sport for all ages and, as well as having teams in local leagues, we hope to work closely with the cricket club and run informal bowling sessions and really increase junior bowling. The Club will work closely with Ormskirk School and other local schools to develop this area and hopes to also work with Edge Hill University to generate student involvement. Keep your eye out for announcements as we move forward and meetings will be held in due course to determine teams and fees etc. The Club will also be running free coaching sessions for those that have never played before and want to have a go.”
The new Club would like to welcome new members and you can log your interest on the Club’s website (external link) or follow the club on Twitter (external link) - @ormskirkbc – or on Facebook (external link).