Where the grass is greener

A local bowling club’s dream became a reality after overcoming its last financial hurdle for a community development project.

Hurunui District Council (HDC) has agreed to underwrite a loan for the Hanmer Springs Bowling Club (HSBC) for $70,000, allowing the Club to proceed with the much-anticipated revamp of the bowling green.

President of HSBC Tina Steele was overwhelmed with the news, describing it as a real game-changer.

“We are over the moon to have the Council’s support. If we didn’t get the loan, we wouldn’t know where to go next or if this project would have been possible. We are stoked.”

The HSBC plans to lay a new all-weather green with surrounding greenery, the intention to have this finished by the end of the year.

HSBC received funding from Rātā Foundation, Mainland Foundation and TAB New Zealand, along with $65,000 they acquired through community fundraising.

“An incredible amount of work went into the fundraising for this project. It just goes to show what a small community can achieve and what we can overcome together; we raised a huge amount of money… The support we had from the wider community was amazing.”

HSBC faced multiple barriers trying to get this project off the ground, including COVID-19.

“We had several obstacles to overcome, some thought we would never make it when faced with the costs and COVID-19, but we kept pushing.”

The Club is looking forward to getting the project started and excited about creating another opportunity to connect our local communities.

“This will be great for all of Canterbury, and especially Hurunui. We can’t wait to start!”