Upgrading specialist equipment

Old Bleach Bowling Club, with the help of Aughrim, would like to apply for two new vital pieces of equipment for club. We would like to receive funding for a greens mower and a scarifier/verticutter. These two pieces of machinery will be used for green maintenance. With this specialist equipment the club will be able to maintain the green to a high standard, which sees constant use through our sport competitions and community programmes.

We currently have a mower and scarifier at the club, however, these two pieces of equipment are currently outdated and not fit for purpose. Both pieces of equipment have gone well past their optimal working life. A decrease in performance with increased maintenance costs has meant we have not been able to have our green at the highest standards leading to uneven surfaces which has a direct impact on the quality and consistency of the surface. This can directly impact playing on the surface. Without proper maintenance of the green surface this does not only affect competitive play but also community programmes, which makes playing on the surface harder and less enjoyable. We aim to have the best bowling green surface for our community to enjoy and players from beginner level to international athletes. This funding is essential for the future of the club.

Without this funding we would not be able to maintain the surface leading to the quality decreasing, which will have a direct impact on the club. Having a less enjoyable surface will mean players will be less likely to want to play on it, which could see a decrease in membership. The surface will also become less appealing for new members, as they would not want to join a club whose playing surface is not up to standard. However, this will be the opposite if we receive funding. We will be able to increase participation withinthe club and hold more community programmes with a better maintained surface.

The quality of the surface will be able to hold up better, so we will be able to host more programmes involving the community without having to worry about the surface. Having a better maintained surface will also the club's status to host competitions at regional and international levels. The funding will also help us maintain our role as a key recreational and social hub for the Randallstown area.

This grant will help cover a significant cost of the equipment. We will be able to maintain and extend the quality and life of the green. The equipment will allow us to have the best quality of green for years to come, which will allow us to continue to offer inclusive, high standard facilities as well as community wellbeing and connection.

They have space at the facility that will safely store the equipment and will be kept secure and only accessible to those who have permission.