There is almost no downside to a refresh on the Merimbula lawn bowling greens to a synthetic surface, says development officer Michael Wilks.
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Merimbula’s Club Sapphire has just proposed nearly $5.5million worth of upgrades including resurfacing two greens to synthetic surfaces.
The response to the proposal has been overwhelmingly positive in southern parts of the shire, while Bega bowlers said there was no issue for them with the upgrade.
A spokesman for a number of regular Bega competitors said there was a preference for top quality natural grass, but synthetics were fine.
“Natural grass varies so it provides a bit more of a challenge, but we have no problem with playing on synthetics either,” the spokesman said.
“We’re really lucky in Bega to have top quality greens.”
However, synthetics are becoming increasingly popular in the city, particularly Melbourne, for its consistent nature and ease of maintenance.
The spokesman also said that Wilks is a former international and widely regarded bowler that would have been “pretty thorough” in his research before stamping off the proposal.
One negative comment appeared on Facebook page, but Wilks was quick to quash any doubts.
“The overall budget of $5.5 million includes significant upgrades to the club house and other non bowls related improvements to our facilities,” Wilks said on social media.
Wilks said upgrades to the greens form just a small portion of the budget, which will largely be used to remodel internal areas of the club and provide roofing for the greens.
The development of artificial turf has advanced in the past decade too.
“I played for 22 years in Melbourne, a location that is widely regarded for its innovation and development of artificial surfaces,” the former Victorian team captain said.
“In many cases [turf] provides a truer, more reliable surface than grass, . so great is the improvement in these surfaces that many high profile clubs are installing them.”
The Bega bowling spokesman said they would be happy to play on the turf greens.
“We play a bit in Merimbula and we’re not fussed as long as the surface remains true,” the spokesman said.
Commonwealth Games representative James Reynolds backed the move and said feedback had been widely positive.
“After the meeting I think the vote will be firmly in the affirmative,” Reynolds said.
“It’s all been very positive around the club.”
He said the club was also looking to utilise the area for other purposes and create diverse opportunities to make best use of the space.