Summer Sports - Bowls
“We needed better-draining foundations, so had to rip out the clinker base, put in a new site-wide drainage system, then lay new greens on top. It was pretty much a complete overhaul”
unified governing body the perfect platform to build on its strategy, and revive passion for a sport that has played such a key role in Scottish communities for generations.
A multi-agency approach had been adopted to deliver the standards required to host the international event, led by Glasgow City Council, which brought in the skills and guidance of the likes of World Bowls, leading agronomists and experienced contractors Fairways Sportsgrounds, which won the tender to meet the council’s remit. Fairways completed the initial phase of
reconstructing five of the six bowling greens at Kelvingrove late last summer. The project, delivered on behalf of Glasgow City Council, is billed as a ‘signature site’ of the 2014 Games. The contractor is playing on home
ground as it was company chairman, Alistair Rae, who constructed the bowls greens for the 1986 Commonwealth Games, held in Edinburgh. That said, Fairways could expect no
preferential treatment, stresses contracts director Dave Gibson, who explains that the company had to prove, like other suppliers, that they were up to the task at hand. “The tendering process was a tough one,” he says. “The council set very high standards for what they wanted to achieve from the build, so were looking for a contractor that commanded extensive experience in bowls construction.” Fairways passed the council’s pre- qualification questionnaire and were subsequently chosen from a shortlist of three others. “Few bowls greens are being built
today, so it was a really exciting project to
be a part of,” Dave continues, “even more so as the company had been involved the last time the Commonwealth Games came to Scotland. It’s great to be part of another world sporting event here.” “We’ve completed many bowls
reconstruction projects in the UK, and a number of full builds, but this was the biggest project of its kind for a number of years.” Five of the six bowling greens have been upgraded to international standard for use during the Commonwealth Games. Works included the complete reconstruction of greens and ditches, incorporating new drainage and automated irrigation scheme - a much needed addition for a part of the country where wet weather is all too commonplace for bowlers’ liking - together with the resurfacing of the footpath network throughout the venue. For the event itself, temporary seating for some 2,500 spectators will be installed, a mark of Glasgow’s confidence that the sport will deliver the mass appeal to draw in the crowds. The green reconstruction project has now been successfully handed over to Glasgow City Council, Dave confirms, with Fairways’ specialist greenkeeper, Neil Plenderleith, remaining on site to daily tend the newly laid turf up to and during the Games. The venue’s West End location is
expected to prove one of the highlights of the event, given Kelvingrove’s magnificent backdrop, beside the terracotta faced Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and close to the University of Glasgow. Once the centre is fully complete, it will be one of the finest of its kind in Scotland.
“Advance planning is a crucial element to staging a successful lawn bowls competition at any level,” said Kenny Clark, World Bowls technical delegate for Glasgow 2014, “and, therefore, it’s incredibly important for us to see the progress at Kelvingrove in regards to the organising committee and its planning for the Commonwealth Games.” Sentiments echoed by chief executive Gary Smith: “Bowls is a truly international sport, and World Bowls is based here in this country at Edinburgh. Seeing how advanced Glasgow 2014 is in their planning and preparation, we are confident it will stage the best lawn bowls competition the Commonwealth has ever seen.”
A glowing vote of confidence, yet for Gibson the real test will be in the reaction during and after the Games, when his work will come under greatest scrutiny. No pressure then! “The existing site was very much an old-style bowls facility, built on a clinker and ash base. We needed better-draining foundations, so had to rip out the clinker base, put in a new site-wide drainage system, then lay new greens on top. It was pretty much a complete overhaul,” says Dave. “First, we removed the topsoil and
recycled it, supplying several local golf courses in the city. We had to regrade the sub-base before putting in the new drainage, which was installed at 100mm laterals laid at 6.5m centres - a standard bowls set-up.”
A 150mm thick gravel raft was then installed, overlaid with a 200mm layer of rootzone, before inserting concrete ditch channelling units, which would allow water to drain to an external location. Next went in a fully automated
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www.supaturf.co.uk FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 PC 73
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