RSA planting flag with bowling club allies
Work on a new office block and kitchen refurbishment at the Blenheim Bowling Club has begun, with upgrades designed to provide a fit-for-purpose shared facility with the Blenheim RSA. Photo: William Woodworth.
A goal 18 months in the making is closer to fruition for the Marlborough RSA and the Blenheim Bowling Club.
The RSA has shared space at the Bowling Club on Scott Street since having to leave the Clubs of Marlborough following its controversial collapse in 2022.
A planned extension to the club’s headquarters will allow the RSA to put historically significant memorabilia back on display for its members, while adding to the Bowling Club’s facilities.
Marlborough RSA’s Rebecca Dalton-Harvey acknowledges the Bowling Club as being very gracious hosts in their time of strife and underlines the importance of the upgrades for both clubs.
“It’s putting Marlborough’s history of service back on display, the local memorabilia from many of those who never came home, and allowing our service team offices to meet with veteran clients and their families”, she says.
The 46sqm addition on to the back of the Bowling Club will house offices, memorabilia storage and an extended shared commercial kitchen, with members of both clubs kickstarting their fundraising efforts.
The building project itself will cost around $260,000, with Bowling Club member and building project manager Andrew Pope, of APH Design and Build, approaching suppliers and subcontractors for discounted costs on behalf of the cause.
“By combining the needs of both clubs together in one plan, we both benefit from that with more use of facilities, more money over the bar or in the kitchen for the Bowling Club and especially now with a commercial kitchen giving further access to hosting functions here”, says Rebecca.
“There are already people donating funds of their own because they see how this is especially helping with veteran health, wellbeing and support.
“We’ve been working out of backrooms doing some important jobs, while our welfare team go into people’s homes alongside our commemorative days, where all those funds go back into that care. This will mean we can deliver so much more for our local veterans and their families and we’re open to contributions in whatever way they come.”
If you can assist in the Blenheim RSA/Marlborough Bowling Club redevelopment, email [email protected].