No bowling at Waterloo this year but major fundraising is planned

Having already cancelled spring competitions at the iconic South Shore venue due to the coronavirus outbreak, the management committee have now decided to call off the most prestigious event on its calendar, the Autumn Waterloo, won last year by Paul Dale.

The decision also frees the committee to focus attention on the structural work which is necessary to the stadium’s survival and the question of how to fund this.

A statement by the ‘Waterloo Team’, headed by Ricky Cochrane, reads: “We last updated you in March, when we cancelled the spring tournaments and outlined what we needed to do to get the autumn tournaments on, which was quite a lot – both in getting to the bottom of the structural work that the owner is insisting is completed as well as getting a new lease in place.

“Covid-19 has obviously got in the way of that and our view now is that we should cancel all bowling for 2020 and focus on getting everything done for spring 2021, resuming then.

“It’s a real shame but we think it is for the best to make an early decision and let everybody know, so if we are out of lockdown by the autumn people who perhaps would normally come to the Waterloo can make other arrangements for breaks/holidays etc...

“ We also understand that the British Crown Green Bowling Association are reviewing whether the men’s and ladies’ champion of champions tournaments will be able to run this year, so these tournaments are not certain to take place.”

As for the structural work, the statement adds: “When we do get to the bottom of the work required and the agreed cost, this will need funding.

“In simple terms, if we can’t fund it, we won’t be able to do the work and are unlikely to be able to continue bowling at the facility.

“When you see the accounts (due to be published over the coming week), you will see that there will not be enough money in the pot to fund the likely cost of this work.

“So once we have a firm number, any good ideas as to how that sum might be raised would be very welcome.

“And once we hopefully all get back to normal, we’d be delighted to hear from any bowlers with a business that could undertake any of the jobs.”

The team also welcome any volunteers who could help with the running of future bowling events at the venue.