Bowlers Ave, Vergesig, Cape Town, 7550
- 021 976 1344
- secretary@durbanvillebc.co.za
- Durbanville Bowling Club
- Durbanville Bowls Shop
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Bowlers Ave, Vergesig, Cape Town, 7550
The Durbanville Bowling Club (DBC) was established on 1 October 1948 with the goal of providing social and recreational facilities to its members. The club’s first meeting took place on 8 April 1948 and since, it has been a fantastic journey. With friendship, community spirit, and shared passion for bowling, they’ve created a place away from home for everyone to cherish and enjoy.
Back in 1948, Messrs Chenoweth, Hepworth, Munnik, Sutton, and Dr. van der Westhuizen, got together to negotiate with the Municipality and the Gymkhana Club. They wanted to find a spot to build and maintain a Bowling Green—a place where they could gather and create community around a common ‘love of the game of bowls’.
The first meeting took place on a lovely Tuesday, 08 April 1948, right in the Council Chamber of the Durbanville Town Hall. The Municipality was kind enough to offer a piece of land for the green, but they couldn't provide further help. On the other hand, the Gymkhana Club (later known as the Cape Turf Club) stepped up with open arms. They not only gave the green light for the land, but also offered an interest-free loan of £500 to build and maintain the green. The community jumped at this amazing offer, and in September 1948, with excitement buzzing in the air, work began on the very first bowling green at Durbanville.
Mr. Austin Sutton, a friendly attorney from Cape Town living in Durbanville, became the club's first President, while Mr. Reg G. Hepworth, a local resident, took on the role of the first secretary. The club spirit was high, and they made the best out of the resources they had. Their first Clubhouse was a Nissen Hut borrowed from the Gymkhana Club, serving as a cozy gathering spot. They brewed tea on a trusty Primus stove, and each member brought their own cup and saucer. Some even kept a "bottle" in their locker, and after games, they'd sit around sharing drinks since the club only had a license for braai nights.
Things were rolling smoothly for the bowling club, and they decided to step up their game. They built a proper Clubhouse, added floodlights for night games and held braai fundraising functions. The whole community got involved, and people from as far as Camps Bay and Somerset West would come together, bowl, braai, and have a blast.
To protect their beloved bowling club and plan for the future, they worked out a deal with the Municipality and the Turf Club. They exchanged land and entered a lease agreement, ensuring a secure future for their gatherings and community friendships.
With a growing club and dreams of a better clubhouse, they managed to get a loan from the Municipality for some clubhouse extensions. The community was all about making this space even cozier than it already was.
As the love for bowling continued to grow, they secured another loan from the Municipality to build a second Green. They even had land available for a third green if they ever needed it!
The time had come to level up their clubhouse experience. A brand new, modern Clubhouse, big enough to welcome around 200 members, was constructed. The whole community chipped in with voluntary contributions, and the Municipality provided labour and financial support. It was a real team effort. With a club liquor license, they could raise a toast to their great community spirit.
The ladies' bar needed some extra space, and guess what? The community came through once again! The Municipality offered the labour, and the members chipped in with donations and debentures to fund the club's portion. Together, they expanded the bar and made it even more inviting.
The club was growing, and they needed more space for their members to bowl and bond. They decided to establish a third green—a testament to their ever-expanding friendship circle.
With an ever-increasing membership, the lounge area needed some love. The community decided to upgrade it, making it a perfect place to connect and create memories. They raised debentures, and in true community spirit, these were fully redeemed within a decade.
Roofs needed maintenance, and they wanted a borehole to ensure water supply during possible droughts. The community stepped up, raised debentures, and took care of all the repairs and upgrades.
A new braai room was added, giving members an even more congenial area to gather and enjoy communal braais. It also served as a designated smoking spot—a place to unwind and chat.
Thanks to a grant from the Lotto, they could finally provide a toilet with wheelchair access and upgrade their locker room facilities. They also got a roof replacement courtesy of the City of Cape Town.
Fearing the possibility of an extended drought, the club decided to look into drilling a borehole. After some ups and downs, they struck water, ensuring a steady supply for their beloved green.
Improving their water supply even further, they set up a system to pump water from the tanks to the clubhouse. This ingenious setup allowed them to switch back to municipal water if needed.
The community spirit kept going strong, and thanks to sponsorship from Fairtree Investment, they built an awesome extension called "The Deck." It became a perfect spot to watch games and enjoy each other's company. They even added a wood-burning pizza oven—yum!
What a fantastic journey it has been for the Durbanville Bowling Club! With friendship, community spirit, and shared passion for bowling, they've created a home away from home for everyone to cherish and enjoy.
