Local club to reopen after flood damage

Broadwater residents are gearing up for a very special Christmas this year with the official reopening and Christmas party at the Broadwater Bowling & Recreation Club.

Like so many other buildings, the community owned club which is run by volunteers was submerged in the flood waters last February and March.

Photos from flood, stripped down to renovated

“We have seen flood water before but not to the extent of March 2022 which inundated the club to 1.2 metres through the two-storey clubhouse,” said vice president and treasurer, David Parker.

A major part of the community since 1957, it has been a long process to get the club  back on its feet.

“Progress has been slow due to securing any type of funding,” said Mr Parker.

“The assessment to rebuild what was lost in the club was $350,000.

Broadwater Bowling & Recreation Club stripped for renovations.

“We had the Mountie group and a range of clubs in NSW help raise much needed funds and donate equipment for the kitchen, carpets, tables, mowers and a food van, along with money raised at a concert.”

The money raised was used to renovate the inside lounge area which is now complete and ready for the Christmas party on 16 December, 2023.

“The bar areas still needs a lot of work and at our last AGM, it was raised by members to become a pokie free club,” said Mr Parker.

“(We will) raise money to complete the works and turn the pokie area into a kids area with arcade games.”

The newly renovated Broadwater Bowling & Recreation Club.

During 2022 the club did not lie dormant, however, as it opened its doors to be a meeting place and also support the community with free meals supplied by the club and others on a Thursday night.

“We also still supported the local school kids in representing their school at sporting events,” said Mr Parker.

“The future is looking great for our club and (we) look forward to the Friday night meals that all our locals have missed over the last two years.”

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