Back on the green again
Local bowlers are once again allowed back on their favourite green rinks after months of being away from the game due to Covid-19 regulations.
Knysna Bowling Club opened its doors for the first time in four months on 21 July, with the reopening coming at somewhat of a heavy financial cost to the club according to chairperson Peter Hudson.
“The clubhouse was completely sanitised by a professional company, we purchased a foot-operated sanitiser for the club entrance plus a remote thermometer to be used for registration of members before being allowed to play. Also many bottles of sanitiser liquid,” Hudson explained.
However, the financial knocks to the club started even before reopening. “The major cost to the club was and is paying our staff salaries plus the club’s static monthly running costs with absolutely no income.”
Bowlers enjoyed their return to the KBC greens.
The club also had to employ a Covid-19 compliance officer in the form of Albertina Molepo to ensure regulations are strictly adhered to, while during lockdown the club’s greenkeeping staff – Clarence Kolanisi and Wilson Gxalo – also put in hard work to maintain the facilities.
“Our greens staff have done an amazing job of looking after everything during lockdown to ensure we could return to the greens again,” Hudson said proudly.
Some of the regulations include the mandatory wearing of face masks; social distancing must be adhered to; bowlers can only make use of alternating rinks on the green and are limited to four players per rink at any given time.
Booking times are furthermore scattered and bowlers have to book in advance but cannot arrive more than five minutes beforehand so as to reduce the chance of crowding. While it is different to the “normal” ways of bowling, member Amanda Perks doesn’t think it’s all bad.
“There’s really not that much difference. Yes, we have to sanitise and wear masks, but that’s not really an issue anymore. We’re just relieved and glad to be out of the house and bowling again.”
Trish Rush prepares to bowl. Photos: Blake Linder
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Source: Knysna Plett Herald News