More than 40 dedicated East Shepparton members witnessed the momentous occasion of Federal Member for Murray Damian Drum starting the construction, which is set to take up to nine months to complete.
The club recently received $500000 in federal funding, which will transform the Zurcas Lane club into a central hub for user groups all year.
Vice-president Dennis Galt highlighted the significance of the new development and the impact the new bowling green would have, not only on the club, but for the region as a whole.
‘‘We had around 40 members of the club down at the sod turning, many of those originally campaigned for the upgrade and put a lot of effort into the foundations,’’ Galt said.
‘‘It was a great atmosphere, we were all very excited, it’s been a long wait that’s for sure.
‘‘It’s fantastic for not only East Shepparton, but for all bowls enthusiasts in the Goulburn Valley area, it will allow for use no matter the weather.’’
With Shepparton locked in to host the Victorian Open again in November, the new facility — alongside Shepparton Park’s undercover bowling green — will be an enticing factor for the region to continue hosting the event.
Galt also revealed the construction process after the first sod turning, with the first roll on the new green expected this year.
‘‘The covered structure is the next stage of the process, which will then be followed by the laying of gravel and turf,’’ he said.
‘‘It will certainly be finished by December, fingers crossed that everything goes to plan because it may even be ready for the start of next season.’’
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