Greenock's Lady Alice Bowling Club Finishes New £260k Revamp

A Greenock bowling club's 10-year battle for a vital refurbishment to secure the future of the facility is finally over as they unveil their £260,000 new-look.

Lady Alice BC officials and members are celebrating the completion of an extension which includes brand new amenities and disabled access toilets.

Since it first emerged urgent repair work was needed to the building back in 2013 they have faced a fight to get across the finishing line.

The committee encountered a series of hurdles along the way, including a problem with gaining a long-term lease to allow them to bid for grant funding.

Then the pandemic hit, and the club faced closure as it struggled to keep going financially.

But now everyone is looking ahead to a brighter future, with big plans in place to reach out to the community.

Club treasurer Jim Gallacher said: "If we hadn't managed to get the extension built, we would have faced an uncertain future and even closure.

"Without it we would not be able to support ourselves financially.

"The work needed to be done, part of the building was sinking. It has been a long haul.

"We are delighted it is now completed. It looks great and is making a huge difference.

"We very much want it to be a community hub for local people. We are looking at ways to bring more people in to use our club, now that we can."

Work started on the refurbishment, which included extensive groundwork, in October last year.

It followed years of uncertainty over obtaining a long-term lease.

Councillor Tommy McVey, who provided assistance to help the club, said: "It’s been a long drawn-out process but great credit goes to Joe Carruthers and Jim Gallacher and their committee for bringing this project to fruition. The work that they have put in has been fantastic.

"I am pleased to have assisted the club along the way and feel the long-term future is now assured and that is very important.

"It is very important because it is becoming more and more difficult for the council to support local clubs and organisations in the way we would like to, due to continual reductions or ring-fencing of our budget.

"This is something they should all be aware of as they plan for the future."

Lady Alice BC are now focusing on additional work that needs to be done including a rewire.

Secretary Joe, who first started the ball rolling on the process a decade ago, admits it has been tough going at times.

He said: "There were times we felt like giving up. But I am delighted that we now finally have the work finished."

During the pandemic the club faced difficulties as funds dried up.

Thanks to backing from Inverclyde Council, the Small Lottery Fund and landfill company EB Scotland along with fundraising by members, they managed to get there in the end.

Jim added: "We would like to thank all our funders, including Inverclyde Council and Councillor McVey, who has been a great support."

The club also thanked project manager Marco Rebecchi for his support.

This article appeared in The Greenock Telegraph