Roselawn Bowling Club Put $19,300 To Continue Building For The Future

August 9, 2023

OWEN SOUND – On Wednesday morning, MPP Rick Byers was at the Owen Sound Roselawn Bowling Club to speak with them about the impact that their $19,300 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has had. The grant, awarded last summer, was part of a program designed by OTF in 2020 to help non-profit groups rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

““I congratulate the Roselawn Bowling Club for being successful in receiving support from the Ontario trillium Foundation. The Club has a great presence in our community and is a wonderful facility for existing and new members.” Said MPP Rick Byers.

Last summer, Roselawn received a grant that’s enabled the Club to contract a part-time coordinator to implement two new programs in the forms of an adult league and youth bowling program. Clubs in other regions have used similar programs to increase both community engagement and club sustainability. It also provided the resources to pilot and assess the future feasibility of these new programs in the area, as well as helping with the costs of training of three volunteer club coaches and purchasing additional bowls sized appropriately for youth, people with small hands and the elderly.

“We are very grateful to have received this funding through the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Roselawn President Lynn Beaton. “This funding has allowed us to grow our membership by 30 per cent and the Club has the highest membership it has had in years. We are also seeing a significant shift in the club demographics as more members are joining between the ages of mid 20s to mid 50s. The training of club coaches and the purchase of new smaller bowls have allowed us to host St. Mary’s High School gym classes, Grey-Bruce Health Services Mental Health Group, CMHA Union Place Social Recreation Program, and private events more successfully.”

While the Club was successful in creating an adult league, the interest in a junior league did not come to fruition. The adult league has boosted Club activity and a younger membership as it rebuilds from the shutdowns and membership declines caused by COVID-19. The coordinator will be leaving the Club with an assessment of the success of the programs and produce a report with recommendations for the board. The framework and processes developed by the coordinator will be subsequently used by the Club to continue to grow and approve programming in future years.

Lawn bowling is played on grass and is like a cross between curling and bocci ball. Players roll bowls down the green in an arc and score points by being closest to the small white ball called a ‘Jack’. Roselawn provides all the necessary equipment, and the club encourages visitors to drop in and try the game; you will receive lessons and three free visits. It is never too late to check out this great sport. Roselawn is available to rent for community and corporate events. The season runs from the Victoria Day Weekend to mid-September, weather permitting. The club first opened in 1920. 

For more information about Roselawn visit www.roselawnbowlingclub.wordpress.com/ or email roselawnbowlingclub@gmail.com.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Visit otf.ca to learn more.