New Lawn Bowling Clubhouse will cost $1.6 million

By Casandra Turnbull

Plans to build a new clubhouse for the Paris Lawn Bowling Club moved forward this week as more details were presented at the Administrative and Operations Committee meeting on Tuesday. In a report delivered by Kathy Ballantyne, Director of Parks & Facilities for the County of Brant, committee members supported the concept design, construction timeline and backed a staff suggestion that the project should be included in the 2023 budget. The estimated cost of this project is $1.6 million

The new clubhouse is designed to function as a ‘net zero’ building, which supports the climate emergency mandate that council established in 2019 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and it will replace the existing 75-yearold Clubhouse that was built in 1948. The building was eventually turned over to the Town of Paris for $1 when membership dwindled, and the lawn bowling club could no longer afford the upkeep in 1986. Plans for the new clubhouse were unveiled last fall. After meetings with stakeholders to review the concept plans, a few changes were implemented to maximize the uses and functionality of the building. The large open space within the clubhouse will be increased by 200 square feet to better accommodate programming by increasing the capacity to 60 people; indoor and outdoor storage reconfiguration was required for better organization and flow within the building; and operable doors on the front of the building decreased from three to two to allow for better placement of furniture and flow of patrons. The estimated cost of $1.3 to $1.6 million includes demolition of the existing building, civil engineering costs, landscaping, mechanical/electrical, restoration of the greens, as well as a 15% contingency fund It does not include furniture, appliances and permit fees Staff recommend that $1.6 million be included in the 2023 capital budget, to be funded by long-term debt.

The Paris Lawn Bowling Club has 65 members and that membership is climbing over the last few years Members of the club have agreed to assist with fundraising for this project and have set a goal of $150,000 To date $24,375 has been raised. The club has approached the County of Brant to collaborate so that donors have the option of a multi-year pledge An overall fundraising campaign goal will be set once the project is approved

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County staff seek approval to include the Paris Lawn Bowling Club in the 2023 Capital Budget. The new clubhouse is estimated to cost $1.3 to $1.6 million dollars and construction should start this fall. The new clubhouse will be a ‘net zero’ building, supporting council’s climate emergency mandate, and will replace the existing 75 year old structure.

The Paris Lawn Bowling Club uses the facility two evenings per week, which leaves room for The Paris Seniors’ Club to operate out of the new facility as well The seniors’ club has been housed at three different facilities over the last nine years and having a dedicated programming space will enable the group to expand their programs from two to three or four days per week. Additional programming opportunities would also be available for evenings or weekend workshops and social events. The group currently has approximately 45 members and has reported a 30% increase in members this past few months.

County staff also met with Pastor Joel Sherbino from the Paris Presbyterian Church to review part of the site plan that outlines parking as the county plans on making parking improvements on land partially