Things are certainly looking greener on the other side for Papamoa Bowling Club as club members celebrated the club's opening today after months of renovations.

Deputy Mayor David Stewart setting the 'kitty'. Photos: Zoe Hunter.

Following final touches to the newly refurbished clubrooms and installation of a new Supergreen two months ago, the club is now set to offer top notch bowling facilities. And it is with thanks to the help of Tauranga City Council, TECT and the Lion Foundation.

The newly renovated club was officially opened by Deputy Mayor David Stewart today who set up the jack – a white ball or ‘kitty' used as a target to play to and determines the point score.

Club members were also given their first chance to try out the new turf with a game of bowls.

Club committee member Don Davis with the first bowl.

David remembers when Tauranga City Council plans were to divide the building into housing subdivisions. He fought for the building to stay.

'It really was just the club rooms and nothing else. It's great to see the club in good spirits. A lot of work has been done to get this club room here.”

In 2009 the club opened new clubrooms after previously using the existing sports club building for all its activities, until the rooms were taken over by council, resulting in the various sports clubs having to share a smaller space.

In August 2009, the Mount Bowling Club donated the Papamoa club an old building previously used by women club members.

Based at Gordon Spratt Reserve, the club currently has 80 members and owns the clubhouse along with maintaining the green and surrounds.

Members hope the new green and clubrooms will entice new members.

David Stewart playing bowls on the new green.

Don Davis showing David Stewart how far his first bowl went.

Club members try out the new green for the first time.