Top international bowlers compete at Naenae this week

Some of Australasia’s top bowls players will be in action in Naenae this week and Matt Reid from Hutt City Council says it’s a great example of the benefits that come from having world-class facilities in our community.

The Bowls Premier League (BPL07) is being played at the Naenae Bowling Club’s new Bowls Centre from 23-26 April. It’s an Australian competition consisting of seven Australian teams and the New Zealand Black Jacks with Jo Edwards, fresh from winning a gold medal in the women’s singles at the Commonwealth Games, and former world champions Shannon McIlroy and Mike Nagy.

It is only the second time the league has been held in New Zealand and Matt Reid, General Manager City and Community Services, says that’s a ringing endorsement of Council’s investment in the facility. He says hosting players and their supporters will also give our local economy a boost.

“It’s an impressive, modern facility which will draw visitors from around the country and around the world,” he says.

“This week’s event is being televised and that means Naenae and Hutt City are being positively showcased to a wide audience. That’s something we can be really proud of. It’s a great advertisement for Hutt City as a highly-desirable sporting and leisure destination.

“It’s also a great chance for local fans to come and see some of the best bowlers in the world in action, in our own backyard.”

Working closely with Naenae Bowling Club, the Naenae RSA and Park Avenue Bowling Club, the Council-owned Community Facilities Trust (CFT), fundraised $2 million of the total $6.25 million for the project. “Council’s contribution of $4.25 million is going to be offset by the sale of existing Council-owned bowls land which will be better utilised to provide the City with other significant economic and social benefits, Mr Reid says

The new bowls facility, along with the Walter Nash Centre in Taita and Fraser Park sports centre (due to open at the end of 2018) are all key projects in Council’s strategy to rejuvenate Hutt City.

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