Curiosity to see how a lawn bowling bowl would roll and react on the Yara Centre’s artificial turf has lead to a new sport and activity. It is being offered for free to everyone with a clean pair of running shoes and an activity pass or admission at the Yara Centre.
Every Tuesday morning from 9:30 am - 11 am and Thursday from 1:30 pm - 3 pm, the Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling Club (MJLBC) in conjunction with the Yara Centre is offering lawn bowling indoors to everyone. You do not need to be a member of the club to come out and give lawn bowling a try.
According to MJLBC member Brian Kitts, the Yara Centre was approached to “see what the grass is like if your rolled a bowl across it.”
The successful test was made and the Yara Centre found itself being able to facilitate another outdoor summer sport indoors during the winter months.
Initially their were concerns that the artificial turf grass was too long so as not to allow lawn bowling, but after the first few bowls were released they discovered that the turf works fine for a sport usually played outdoors on finally manicured grass.
“It worked a lot better than expected,” Liz Jones MJLBC member said.
Trying to see if lawn bowling was playable at the now over 10-year-old Yara Centre was something which was never tried before.
There are a couple of modifications in the game to make it work in the Yara Centre, such as the greens used is shorter than what is played at the club’s regular summer home.
Kitts and Jones both said the game is in its infancy stage at the Yara Centre but they and other club members have been doing their best to spread the word to the people using the Yara Centre’s walking track welcoming them to stop in and give the game a try.
“Come join in after your walk,” Kitts said.
The members of the club are more than willing to explain the rules and how the sport is played.
Asked who the lawn bowling was for, he said it was for everyone regardless of age or size.
“We have bowls of all sizes. We have all different sizes and weights to allow most people to take part.”
The club is open to school visits; just make arrangements ahead of time to drop in and give it a try.
With the Yara Centre now having Moose Jaw Transit service - on Route #3 - Kitts said there may even be members of the club as well as others who don’t drive in the winter and rely upon the bus to come and give it a try.
Right now the activity at the Yara Centre is new and both hope the new indoor game is something that catches on.
Offering lawn bowling is a win - win situation for both the MJLBC and the Yara Centre.
The MJLBC have access to play indoors until May, when their regular outdoor home re-opens, and they have the opportunity to introduce the game to others and help to drive their outdoor memberships.
The Yara Centre can now offer another free activity to people using the facility and there is the potential to have more people use the facility and earn more income.
As an example: if a senior wanted to buy a monthly pass for the Yara Centre for $43.75 they would have access to the walking track, the fitness centre, lawn bowling and other free open indoor activities. For $5 more - $48.75 - a senior would have access to swimming at the Kinsmen indoor pool as well.
It needs to be noted that the Thursday afternoon time slot may move because of a conflict with regular bowling at the same time. Phone ahead to the Yara Centre at 306 694-4560 to inquire.
