THE Cleveland Bowls Club will concentrate exclusively on bowls after selling its operational and management rights to the Victoria Point Sharks Sporting Club.
General Manager of both sites Mal Cochrane said the bowls club had been refurbished since Sharks had purchased the site.
He said the formation of Cleveland Sharks will be announced on February 3 and 4 with free family activities.
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On Saturday, February 3, there will be a roving magician, raffles, tapas tasting, giveaways, wine tasting and live music from 6pm.
There will be the chance to try barefoot bowls on Sunday, February 4 with games at 10am and 2pm
Now named the Cleveland Sharks Club, the site offers the Crackerjack Cafe, where people can eat in air conditioning inside or outside looking over the grounds.
The cafe is open Wednesday to Sunday for breakfast and lunch from 6.30am to 2pm.
The restaurant is also open for dinner every Friday and Saturday night.
Gaming machines have been increased from 15 to 25 at Cleveland, while being reduced at Victoria Point from 116 to 90 machines.
“It’s just great,” Mr Cochrane said.
“There is top notch food and the most expensive thing on the menu is $22.”
Mr Cochrane said the purchase followed conversations with the Cleveland Bowls Club committee, whose voluntary members were finding it increasingly hard to manage both the games and the club’s operations.
“We thought this was a resource we could improve and by taking over the management of the club, it leaves the bowls club free to generate good bowls,” he said.
“We remain separate incorporations. This bowls club has been running for many years and it is important to us not to lose its traditions and history. We just want to re-brand it so it can be attractive to a young and an older crowd – a cross section of the community where everyone is comfortable.”
To that end, membership to the bowls club remains as usual for members but there is also the opportunity to join the club.
Membership of both Victoria Point and Cleveland Sharks clubs is $3 for each club for three years and includes wine and meals on birthdays.
“This club offers a quality venue that is still far from the madding crowd,” Mr Cochrane said.
“There are no hassles and people can come here to have a relaxing time and enjoy themselves.”
Mr Cochrane also said he believed development of Toondah Harbour would be a boon to the club, which he hoped would entice passing traffic.
This is also a chance to add bowls to the sports on offer through Sharks.
At Victoria Point, the club offers AFL, cricket, softball, netball and triathlons.
“The triathlete club have already enjoyed a Crackerjack breakfast,” Mr Cochrane said.
