With the help of a loan through the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, the club will spend $340,000 to install synthetic lawns in time for the opening of a winter season in June.

With water shortages accepted as inevitable and future weather patterns impossible to predict, the long term implications are grim for bowling clubs and their pristine, but water-dependent greens.

The Clare Bowling Club has looked to the future and considered its options. Members were keen to ensure the long term viability of their club and began investigating the installation of a synthetic carpet green.

They chose a surface which closely replicates the bowling characteristics of a lawn bowling green with the benefit of low maintenance. Unlike grass, the artificial green requires only a fortnightly sweep and vacuum, plus an annual fungicide treatment.

And unlike some other synthetic greens, it doesn’t need watering.

The foundation of the new surface is a specially prepared base, which is both porous and solid.

The new “lawn” will be a long-term boon to the club – saving money on maintenance, offering a year-round playing surface and providing a state-of-the-art green which will complement the high standard of many of the region’s other sporting facilities.

“The greens will be of permanent benefit to the people of Clare and surrounding regions and assist in making the game of bowls available to all,” club secretary Ron Wurst said.

“Most importantly this project will drought- proof the club against any future loss of water supply.”

After doing the sums, the club has estimated the new carpet green will save them about $28,000 annually, plus many hours of member voluntary work. A major source of income for the club is their bar profits, which would be improved once the playing season is extended past the traditional summer events.

Having made the decision, members were keen to get on with the job. The club was able to pay the initial deposit for the installation but was looking for a loan for the balance.

A request to the council for help by borrowing the balance of $270,000 through the Local Government Finance Authority over 10 years was unanimously supported by councillors at their meeting ion Monday, April 21.

Tiger Turf Australia will supply and install the artificial greens, which have been recommended by Bowls SA. There will be further changes to the club grounds, with a section of existing greens parallel to the clubhouse switched for use for outdoor seating and viewing,in anticipation of increased interest in the sport and use of the facility.

“Our aim is to make the club accessible to everyone,” president Peter Errey said

Work begins in the middle of May and will take about six weeks to complete – just in time for the start of winter competition.

“We’re looking forward to it – I’ve always fancied running an Ugg Boot triples, and now we have our chance,” Mr Errey joked.