Home of bowls will be shut for the whole year
Shropshire bowlers dreaming of celebrating the easing of the lockdown rules by visiting the home of the sport later this summer can forget it, writes Malcolm Fletcher.
The team trying to safeguard the future of the sport at the Waterloo in Blackpool – featuring former British No.1 Gary Ellis – have issued a statement saying that the famous venue is closed for the whole of this year.
Unable to finalise a lease with the owners, the statement says: “Covid-19 has obviously got in the way of that and our view now is that we should cancel all bowling for 2020 and focus on getting everything done for spring 2021, resuming then.
“It’s a real shame but we think it is for the best to make an early decision on it and let everybody know – so if we are out of lockdown by the autumn people who perhaps would normally come to the Waterloo can make other arrangements for breaks/holidays etc.
“We also understand that the BCGBA are reviewing whether the men’s and ladies Champion of Champions tournaments will be able to run this year – so these tournaments are not certain to take place.”
Structural work is required on the three remaining stands at the Waterloo and funding of it remains a massive concern.
