Fendalton Bowling Club
The Beginnings
The concept of a bowling club emerged in 1942 when the Fendalton Company of the Home Guard disbanded leading ultimately to an inaugural meeting on 19 June 1944.
The Fendalton Domains Board had allocated a site on the northern edge of Fendalton Park but it proved unsuitable because of inadequate drainage and further negotiation led to the Waimairi County Council purchasing land beside the attractive Waimairi Stream for lease to the embryonic bowling club.
Massive labour by many volunteers resulted in the conversion of a neglected paddock to a fenced area upon which a bowling green was constructed. By 1949 a second green together with basic buildings had been established.
The club’s first Patron, Hori Coutts Collett was one of the founding members. He worked in all roles from the Home Guard days through initial physical labour to champion bowler, Club President, Dominion President and International Bowling Delegate. He was vested as Patron in 1994 and his efforts are visible today in all aspects of the club – nominally in the Hori Collett gateway at the main entrance and the first floor Hori Collett lounge.
Amalgamation
After 15 years of active discussion the Fendalton Bowling Club and Fendalton Women’s Bowling Club amalgamated in 2004. Bowls Canterbury bought the FWBC clubhouse and took over the management of the green. That site is on the north side of the croquet club.
The clubhouse
At this time the clubhouse was run down and in need of major upgrading. At the same time major alterations were necessary to accommodate lady members after the agreement to amalgamate.
Fundraising was undertaken and major renovations were carried out in time to host the World Champion of Champions Singles in 2005.
In 2007 the lift was installed in time to host the World Bowls Tournaments in 2007 & 2008.
The greens
From the early 1990’s the greens have been improved by successive greenkeepers including our current greenkeeper Terry Stewart. They are now regarded as one of the best in Christchurch and sought after for national tournaments.
We have hosted World Champion of Champion Singles in 2005, 2006 and 2014, Asia Pacific Championships 2007, and World Bowls Championships 2008 and 2016.
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