By Tyler Wright
Upwey-Tecoma Bowls Club has been dealt a heavy blow after a flash flooding event on Tuesday 25 October, with its front green demolished by the torrent of deluge rushing down the hill.
Selection committee member Terry Button said it’s a “devastating” time for club members and volunteers, with the green a “complete write off” as local clubs kick off their pennant season.
While the club’s back green is salvageable after copping damage to around 40 per cent of the lawn from clean rainwater, only five rinks are able to operate, leaving one competition team without a lawn on the fortnightly occasion there are two teams playing at the venue.
Bookings are also now essential for the weekly barefoot bowls and Jack Attack match events played on the lesser-damaged back green, with limited space available for community members to participate.
“It’s going to restrict us down to the bare minimum now…how much we’re going to lose I’ve got no idea,” Button said.
The club is also assessing damage to machinery after the shed was filled with deluge.
“Only using half of the other green that’s usable has restricted us considerably because we often have to both greens full at the same time…we have social games and competitions,” Button said.
“It’s going to make life very difficult for the next few months.”
Boronia Bowls Club has invited teams from Upwey-Tecoma have been invited to play at Boronia Bowls Club until Christmas, with Cockatoo Bowls Club taking the baton and hosting Upwey-Tecoma’s teams post-December.
In the mean time, Button hopes local groups like the U3A will still be able to make most out of learning at the club, despite its limited capacity.
The cost of the damaged green, which was newly-laid in 2020, is expected to sit at around $200,000.
