The Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club was very grateful to receive a $25,000 grant from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program in 2021. The funds were used to install perimeter lighting for the lawn bowling facility, but due to supply issues, the installation of the lights was not completed until after the end of the 2021 season. Starting in May 2022, the new lights will allow the club to provide increased playing time, a longer season, and improve safety.
Scott Aitchison, Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka supported the club’s project, stating, “The Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club has provided hundreds of (mostly senior) members of the community with a fun, low-impact, healthy sport since it opened in 2017. It’s a great community resource that is well supported locally.”
Sally Mills, Past President of the Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club stated; “Our members are excited about the new lights. It is expected that the new lights around the facility will increase participation in night games and leagues for all ages, as well as provide increased safe access from ambient lighting for the adjacent parking lots.”
“Most of the members prefer to play when it is cooler,” explained Mills. “Some members, especially seniors, have difficulty bowling when it is very hot and sunny. More evening bowling will allow more participation in lawn bowling, and our new croquet activity, especially in late summer and into the fall.”
Last season, the club introduced a new “golf croquet” program to its members, which is an easy to learn form of croquet that is growing in popularity around the world. The club hosted their first golf croquet & meal events for community groups looking for a fun outing. Mills stated that, “The club is planning more golf croquet events, as well as an evening league under the new lights for the 2022 season.”
The Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club will be offering their popular Learning Lawn Bowling & Croquet programs for two weeks starting May 23, 2022. The lawn bowling and croquet facility is located on the grounds of the Muskoka Highlands Golf Course in Bracebridge. Information about the club and its programs can be found at www.muskokabowls.ca, or by contacting Sally Mills at 705-646-0086 or office@muskokabowls.ca.
The Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club is grateful to New Horizons for Seniors for the opportunity to provide a safer and more enjoyable environment for lawn bowling and croquet participants in the community.