Huge new $7 million Playford Bowling Club to open soon

IT’S the biggest undercover bowls complex in the southern hemisphere, and it’s finally open. For members of the bowling club, it’s like “coming home”.

IN front of freshly laid turf, board members of the new Playford Bowling Club hugged each other as a homely feeling sank in.

At times, their dream of a mega bowls complex on Goodman Rd, Elizabeth, seemed out of reach.

But when keys to the new centre finally landed in the hands of club president Jim Main, the reality hit them.

“We went in and had a meeting with the Playford bowls board (on May 16) and all hugged each other, it was a bit emotional I tell you,” Mr Main, 84, of Gawler says. “The feeling was magnificent, it was like we had gone home.”

The new $7 million complex, which is the largest undercover lawn bowls arena in the southern hemisphere, will be opened by Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty next Wednesday.

Australia bowls coach Steve Glasson will be at the ceremony.

Geoff Wooddeson, Jim Main, Ron Slager, Sue Armstrong and Allen Prow at the new Playford Bowls Club. Picture: AAP / Morgan Sette

Elizabeth and Munno Para bowling clubs merged earlier this year, making Playford the fourth largest bowls club in the state behind Modbury, Brighton and Encounter Bay.

Mr Main, a bowler for more than 15 years, says a renewed feeling of excitement has spread through the club.

“When you see three greens under cover you can imagine the immensity of it,” he says.

“We’ve had strangers coming up, having a look and wanting to join. “It’s 120m (of greens) and it’s all covered, it’s amazing.”

Mr Main says the state-of-the-art roof will help protect bowlers from the weather, including ultraviolet light, which can cause skin cancer.