Proud moment as club unveils new £106K HQ

A new £106,000 clubhouse pavilion has been officially opened at a bowling club in Fleetwood.
At the official opening of the new clubhouse pavilion at Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club are Maureen Shaw, David Shaw (Strawberry Gardens pub landlord), Carl Healey (sponsor) Dave Walters (honorary secretary of the  bowls club), Dave Wise, (chairman of the bowls club).At the official opening of the new clubhouse pavilion at Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club are Maureen Shaw, David Shaw (Strawberry Gardens pub landlord), Carl Healey (sponsor) Dave Walters (honorary secretary of the  bowls club), Dave Wise, (chairman of the bowls club).
At the official opening of the new clubhouse pavilion at Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club are Maureen Shaw, David Shaw (Strawberry Gardens pub landlord), Carl Healey (sponsor) Dave Walters (honorary secretary of the bowls club), Dave Wise, (chairman of the bowls club).

The Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club, based behind the pub of the same name on Poulton Road, officially opened its new facility on Saturday.

Club members had been preparing for the new facility for two years.

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The new pavilion was made possible when the club received a £75,000 grant after a successful bid to Sport England.

The new 106,000 clubhouse pavilion at the Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club.The new 106,000 clubhouse pavilion at the Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club.
The new 106,000 clubhouse pavilion at the Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club.

Additional cash came from a number of Fleetwood businesses which sponsored the event.

The new clubhouse boasts an entrance lobby, changing rooms, ladies and gents toilets, a club kitchen, office, storeroom and workshop with greenskeeping equipment.

Before the new pavilion, members had been using a dilapidated building which dated from the mid 19th century and was one of the oldest buildings in Fleetwood.

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It was believed to be a former stable but had to be demolished.

The new 106,000 clubhouse pavilion at the Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club.The new 106,000 clubhouse pavilion at the Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club.
The new 106,000 clubhouse pavilion at the Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club.

The club, believed to be one of the oldest on the Fylde coast, has been based on the premises since the 1850s.

Dave Walters, honorary secretary of the club, said: “It has taken two years of planning and hard work but we have finally made it.

“Apart from being good news for us, it will be good new for every team we play because they will be able to make use of the facilities.

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“It’s a proud moment for the club to unveil a clubhouse like this.”

The official opening was followed by bowling on the green and there was free tuition for non-bowlers and anyone joining on the day was able to take advantage of half price membership. Refreshments were also served on the day.

The club has thanked all the sponsors who backed the scheme and helped provide the substantial amount of additional cash to ensure it could go ahead.

Financial support came from James Jackson’s Central Garage, JP Dell Funeral Directors, Mike Sanderson Electrical, Phil Cossey Plasterer and Marina Quay Fisheries.

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The new clubhouse was first used in a competitive match on Tuesday afternoon, when Cleveleys Working mens Club were the visitors.

Strawberry Gardens Bowls Club currently has 11 teams playing in seven leagues, and includes three ladies teams.

Dave added: “The club is thriving and this new facility can only help.We think it is something that the town itself can be proud of.”

Among those attending the launch were Dave and Maureen Shaw, who run the neighbouring Strawberry Gardens pub.