TheSportsCampus

Members from the Lawn Bowls International Federation have visited Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre this week and finished the visit by expressing their delight at the preparation already gone into the West End venue that will host the Lawn Bowls competition for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Kerry Clark, World Bowls Technical Delegate for Glasgow 2014 and World Bowls Chief Executive Gary Smith have been in Glasgow to meet the Organising Committee and assess the greens at Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre.

Lawn Bowls will provide entertainment and excitement during the Games in just under three years time and the final stages of preparation this summer has seen the laying of the turf onto the newly constructed greens, which will be open to the public next summer.

The venue's West End location will be one of the highlights of Glasgow 2014, with a magnificent backdrop, immediately adjacent to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and close to the University of Glasgow. Once complete, the new centre will be one of the finest in Scotland and both delegates expressed their confidence in the venue after the visit.

Kerry Clark, World Bowls Technical Delegate for Glasgow 2014 said: "Advance planning is a crucial element to staging a successful Lawn Bowls competition at any level, therefore it's incredibly important for us to see the progress at Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre in regards to the Organising Committee and its planning for the Commonwealth Games.

"The organisers at Glasgow 2014 have made a positive start in their preparations to ensure we have a quality playing surface to match this outstanding picturesque venue in just under three years time and I have every confidence this will continue right up until the Games."

Gary Smith, World Bowls Chief Executive said: "It's been fantastic to see first-hand the level of preparation and work that's gone into the greens already, which is a credit to the Organising Committee and its Games Partners.

"Bowls is a truly international sport and World Bowls is based here in Scotland. With this in mind, seeing how advanced Glasgow 2014 is in their planning and preparation, we are confident Glasgow 2014 will stage the best Lawn Bowls competition the Commonwealth has ever seen."

Alan McMillan, Bowls Scotland Chief Executive said: "Glasgow 2014 has made an excellent start to the development of Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre and we look forward to seeing the venue come to fruition in three years time.

"Scotland has an impressive record at the Commonwealth Games and we are delighted our bowlers will enjoy the benefits of world class facilities that will enhance our prospects of extending our medal tally on home soil."

Greg Warnecke, Head of Sport at Glasgow 2014 said: "Visits involving our International Federation representatives are an important part of our on-going planning. It offers us an opportunity to develop our relationship with sport governing bodies and instil a level of confidence in our preparations for 2014.

"We are delighted to receive such positive endorsement and it's extremely pleasing to receive this kind of feedback for Kelvingrove Bowls Centre, especially as the venue is the first to be completed."

Five bowling greens have been upgraded to international standard for use during the Games and works have included the complete reconstruction of greens and ditches, incorporating new drainage and automated irrigation scheme, together with the resurfacing of the footpath network throughout the venue.

There will be temporary seating for around 2,500 spectators for the Lawn Bowls competitions during the Games.