$2.5 million redesign revealed for Grange venue as bowls club torn up
The Grange Bowls Club has been demolished for a complete redesign but residents say it is vital the popular venue remains an accessible meeting place for families.
Futsal courts, a covered deck, large outdoor LED movie screen, public space and narrowed bowling green are being built as part of the $2.5 million renovation.
Grange Thistle Football Club acquired the bowls club in 2021 and chairman Anthony White said changes were needed to make the club financially sustainable.
The club, which has nearly 1500 players, also needs more space for football.
Fewer than a dozen bowlers played at the venue on many days in 2026, but it has become a hub for families. With its food trucks and jumping castle, the club often attracts hundreds of children and their parents on Fridays and weekends.
“Bowl numbers continue to struggle and the maintenance of bowl greens is terrible,” White said.
“We are determined to keep the bowls alive… I don’t want to be the one to end the sport that has been around since 1946. On the other hand, we had to find other ways to pay the bills”.
A development application submitted to Brisbane City Council shows the two western pitches will be replaced by three futsal pitches, a warm-up area and a small outdoor gym.
These fields will also likely host other sports such as “backyard” cricket, dodgeball and tennis.
The remaining green space will be significantly reduced to provide a large outdoor LED screen open area for live sporting events or movie nights.
“We wanted to be open for this World Cup, but it’s just a mission to get these projects done,” White said.
A covered deck area that can accommodate more than 100 people is also being installed.
At the east end, there will be a narrowed bowling green with three or four lanes. It will also be used in other games such as putt putt golf and cornhole.
“This will be more suitable for social bowlers who are just starting out… if you want to do competition bowls, that’s not where we are anymore,” White said.
The club is also in talks for a new food and beverage supplier.
Local resident Franca Pearcy has been taking her grandchildren to the “community centre” for years and said it was vital the club continued to operate as an accessible meeting place for families.
“This is a place where a lot of people gather, often with kids, and it has a really great community feel,” he told this imprint on the adjacent playground.
“It’s a safe and wonderful space for people with young children… it really is a necessary part of the community.”
Georgie Cottrell often takes her children to the club to catch up with friends and says preserving open space is particularly important.
“After school on Friday afternoons everyone goes to the bowls club and the kids run around and have a good time and the parents chat and chat and have a drink.
“As long as they don’t occupy the green space [it’s ok] … it is important that there is still open space for children.”
White added there had been a shortage of sports facilities on Brisbane’s north side since the closure of an indoor center in Newmarket and the new scheme would help fill that gap in the market while attracting more people to the club.
The project is being funded through a $1 million grant from the Brisbane City Council, which owns the land, and a $1.5 million grant from the state government.
“It’s great to see the work now underway,” LNP councilor Danita Parry said in a statement.
“These clubs have always been an important part of our community and this investment will help ensure they continue to bring people together for many years to come.”
Disabled access ramps, fire escape, power systems, plumbing, drainage and irrigation are also being upgraded as part of the maintenance.
Work on the club, which opened in 1944, started in February. We aim to complete the redesign by October.
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