The pandemic seriously hampered the club’s ability to recruit new members in 2020.
“Understandably, participation was reduced and restricted, but there were no reported cases of COVID-19 from any Canadian lawn bowling club. The extensive safety protocols put in place worked; lawn bowling is a safe activity,” stated Sally Mills, President of the Muskoka Lawn Bowling Club.
The club is aiming to reach out to the community throughout June and attract many more participants with their new, safer, Learn to Lawn Bowl program. The $50 per person fee includes new online instruction and video links, outdoor games with a qualified coach, all equipment, as well as a one-month membership. When participants choose to join as full members after the program, the Learn to Lawn Bowl fee will be deducted from the membership fee.
Lawn bowling is a fun, low-impact sport that is easy to learn, yet challenging to master. The club has introduced hundreds to this gentle, social sport since it first opened its gates in July 2017. Since then, the club has worked diligently to complete the facility and expand the program with fencing, sidewalks, and equipment to improve safety and accessibility, a winter “short mat” indoor bowling program, coach’s training, and additional tournaments and social events.
“We are excited to launch the new Learn to Lawn Bowl program starting on May 31st. We have eliminated the indoor class time, and all of the instructions will be safely online and outdoors on the green. There are flexible days and times offered for the outdoor instruction to allow for physical distancing. The club has extensive safety protocols in place, and participants must pre-book their bowling time. The safety of our bowlers is always our first concern,” explained Mills.
The club expects that the number of bowlers allowed on the green at one time will be limited to five bowlers for now. They anticipate increasing the numbers later this summer, and are looking forward to being able to return to their full social and competitive schedule of events eventually.
The lawn bowling facility is located on the grounds of the Muskoka Highlands Golf Course in Bracebridge.
Information about the Learn to Lawn Bowl program can be found at www.muskokabowls.ca, or by contacting Sally Mills at 705-646-0086 or membership@muskokabowls.ca
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