Crackerjack: $80m southside retirement project comes with bowls green

We’ve become used to bowls clubs closing, but a new southside retirement village is bucking the trend with a championship-quality green among its attractions.

Australia’s newest, championship-quality bowls green is one attraction at an $80 million retirement project under construction on Brisbane’s southside.

While many bowling clubs have folded in recent years, RetireAustralia’s The Green in Tarragindi will include a green for residents.

The first sod was turned yesterday (August 26) at the Cracknell Rd site, next to Tarragindi Bowls Club and clubhouse.

RetireAustralia and Yeronga Services and Community Club have joined forces to build the project, which will take 18 months to complete.

Render of the RetireAustralia project.

Hutchinson Builders has been awarded the construction contract.

Bowls Qld CEO Brett Wilkie said West Tigers Sports, near Mackay, built a covered green in 2019.

Grange Thistle Bowls Club took over the previously closed Grange Bowls Club’s facilities in January this year.

“Many clubs are upgrading to synthetic greens with roof structures,’’ Mr Wilkie said.

RetireAustralia CEO Brett Robinson said The Green was designed to offer choice, support and social connection.

Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson said they were keen to start work.

“The overgrown site has been sitting dormant for a long time, so we can’t wait to get started and turn it into something that will be a big asset to the community with many amenities for locals and residents of The Green,” he said.

How the project will look.

The Green will have 94 independent living apartments, 11 different apartment types, underground parking, private cinema, library and indoor and outdoor gyms.

All residents can access the Tarragindi Bowls Club, which will have a championship-quality bowling green.

Yeronga Services Club general manager Nathan Young said having the country’s newest bowling green would be a big drawcard.

(L-R) Yeronga Services Club general manager Nathan Young, Hutchinson Builders chair Scott Hutchinson and RetireAustralia CEO Brett Robinson.

The site will also include a landscaped park with communal barbecue areas, common lawn, productive garden and children’s playground.

Residents can choose from a range of services including personal care, domestic support and clinical care, funded privately or through government care packages.

Expressions of interest have opened.