For over fifty years, the Lautoka Bowling Club has served as more than just a sports venue; it has been a vibrant community hub filled with friendship, laughter, and competition. However, the club’s future is currently uncertain following the sale of the land by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), with plans to officially close between March and April this year. This news has left many long-standing members, who have spent decades enjoying the greens, disheartened.
David Bennion, a life member and a familiar face at the club, expressed hope that a new plot of land could be secured, allowing the association and the sport to continue. “This place has been a big part of our lives. It’s not just about bowling. It’s about people, friendships, and staying active,” he said, underscoring the emotional connection many have to the club.
The Lautoka Bowling Club has its roots in the Colonial Sugar Refinery (CSR) era, believed to have begun in the 1950s. In the early years, access was largely restricted to expatriates, but this began to change in the late 1960s and early 1970s as locals became welcomed into the fold. As the community embraced the sport, bowling became popular especially among FSC staff, bringing together individuals for friendly matches on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays.
Bennion’s journey with the club is both personal and nostalgic. In the late 1980s, he was encouraged by the former FSC general manager, Ram Karan Singh, to take up the sport. Soon, his entire family was involved, and by the early 1990s, both he and his wife were fully committed to bowling. “When I couldn’t run much on the hockey field anymore, I turned to bowling. It keeps you moving, and it keeps you young,” he explained, recalling the joys of competition, including a remarkable victory at an invitational tournament in Vatukoula.
As closure approaches, club members are actively exploring options to preserve bowling in Lautoka. Ideas include establishing a new green at the South Sea Club and repurposing an unused lawn tennis court within the FSC compound into a bowling green. Bennion noted the impact of the club’s closure on the local business community, particularly during Wednesday night competitions, which have fostered networking and socializing among members.
Ultimately, for Bennion and many others, the possible closure represents more than just the loss of a recreational venue; it signifies the potential end of a cherished way of life. “This place keeps me young, it’s my exercise. Walking up and down those greens, that’s what keeps me going,” he reflected. As the Lautoka Bowling Club faces an uncertain future, its members remain hopeful for a new beginning where they can continue to create lasting memories centered around the sport they love.
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