CLUB HISTORY

There were originally two Lawn Bowling Clubs in Barrie.  The Barrie Lawn Bowling Club and the Allandale Lawn Bowling Club and they dated back to 1902 and 1906.

In 1906, the CNRA (Canadian National Railway Association) sponsored by the CNR created the Allandale Lawn Bowling Club as recreation for their employees while on layovers.  It had five greens and it was located where the new bus terminal on Essa Road is now.

In 1920 the Barrie Lawn Bowling Club folded, the members approached the CNR to ask if they would be welcome.  Men were allowed but not Ladies.

In 1936, Allandale Lawn Bowling club with the CNR added three new green and lights.  Ladies were not allowed to bowl until 1942 when a ladies club was formed and they were allowed one night a week.

The Allandale Lawn Bowling Club only had 8 rinks and in order to accommodate more members it was decided to use the abandoned tennis courts next door to double the rink size to 16 rinks.  In 1951 it was decided that a new clubhouse was necessary and they located it between the two sets of greens.  The CNR contributed $1,500.00 towards the new building fund.  The members raised and donated the balance of the money, the members built the new clubhouse which opened in September 1953. 

In 1995 the City of Barrie purchased that land from the CNR, the club was responsible for paying taxes on the land as well as water and hydro payments.  There was bowling every day except Friday and Saturday because tournaments were held on Saturdays and the greens were maintained on Fridays. 

In 1999 The City of Barrie sold the property to what is now CTV Barrie and the club received a letter advising them that they needed to vacate the premises.  The City of Barrie promised a new Lawn Bowling site on Coulter Street and we were requested to change our name to Barrie Lawn Bowling Club (BLBC).  That site never materialized because the city told the club there was going to be a problem getting water and hydro services.

In 2000 the club was advised a New Dome Facility was going to be erected in the north end of Barrie and it could accommodate the New Barrie Lawn Bowling Club.  The club started Indoor Lawn Bowling on a special carpet surface designed for lawn bowling in May of 2000.

Lawn Bowling is a competitive but friendly sport, BLBC belongs to the Ontario Lawn Bowling Association (OLBA) District 13, which regulates the sport in Ontario.  We have Tournaments, in house club tournaments as well as invitational tournaments where other clubs in our area, Orillia, Collingwood, Stayner, Midland and Muskoka compete.

The Club continues with bowling on Monday and Wednesday.  We also provide bowling for the visually impaired on Thursday with the help from some loyal volunteers.