The Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling Club has been back in action since the end of July and has seen fewer members taking to the pitch than in recent years, but hope that the sport will take off once again now that COVID-19 restrictions have relaxed.
“It’s weird times, the problem is we had quite a few members decide not to renew, so we’re in survival mode once again,” said club president Daniel Morin. “At least we can actually bowl. It’s a gorgeous little park and it’s been so nice out lately, we’re hoping we’ll start to see more people coming out.”
Morin himself is a perfect example of how the game fits anyone. After having hip replacement surgery two years ago, he was looking for something that would offer therapeutic exercise and a chance to get active.
“I just thought ‘this would be good therapy’ and it’s turned into the funnest therapy ever,” Morin said with a laugh. “This is just the perfect sport for someone who wants something low impact, I’ve seen guys in their 90s who are still playing the game. The way I look at it, I’m not getting any younger, and if you aren’t doing something it isn’t going to get any easier… It can be mental therapy, too; nothing else matters when I’m out on the pitch and it’s just fun to be out there.”
The club currently has around 13 members, down from 29 a year ago, and that’s left plenty of room for anyone who wants to come out.
Players can visit the club — located in Crescent Park just off Third Avenue Northeast, a few hundred metres north of the tennis club — Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., and Tuesdays at 9 a.m. throughout the month of August.
Tuesday nights are booked by Moose Jaw Pride, who have started a regular night of bowls that has drawn as many as 20 players at a time.
The first three visits are free for newcomers, and newcomers are welcome as long as a member is on site. After the third visit there’s a $5 drop-in fee or a $50 membership, $250 for families. Membership comes with privileges as players can visit the club and play any time they wish, making for a perfect family activity.
“If you want to come out and only play half an hour, that’s fine, or you can come out and play five, six hours straight if you want to,” Morin said. “Anybody who is just walking by can drop in, too. I’m not going to turn anyone down because it’s just fun to have people playing.”
Of course, there are COVID-19 precautions in place.
Everyone has to sign a waiver, and regular sanitizing will take place throughout games, as well as social distancing as much as possible.
Other than that, though, it’s game on.
“It would be really nice to get enough players out to have regular tournaments again, and we’re hoping that as people are looking for something to do they’ll decide to come out and give it a shot,” Morin said.
For more information, check out Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling on Facebook or give Morin a call at 306-313-4434.
