Securing the future of the National Centre for Bowling

The National Centre for Bowling at Northfield in Ayr has provided a home for Scottish lawn bowls for decades. It has been a venue for national competitions and international fixtures. It has also been the home for the national associations – first the Scottish Bowling Association and since the merger with the Scottish Women’s Bowling Association, it has housed the offices and been the delivery base for Bowls Scotland. The National Centre for Bowling is our home and a valuable asset for our sport.

The five-green National Centre is owned and operated by South Ayrshire Council. Bowls Scotland continues to enjoy a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership with the Council. With the current long-term lease arrangements coming to an end, Bowls Scotland have entered negotiations with South Ayrshire Council with the aim of securing the future of the National Centre.

We have enjoyed favourable arrangements with the Council over many years. The Council have informed us that they remain committed to the Centre and want to see Northfield’s status as the National Centre maintained. However, given the financial pressures that are facing all local authorities across the country, they will require Bowls Scotland to take on a greater role in the management of the facility and an increased share of the cost burden of operating the facility.

Malcolm Dingwall-Smith, Chief Executive of Bowls Scotland, said: “We know that Northfield has a special place in Scottish bowls. It has seen Scottish, European and World champions crowned, and regularly hosts age-group and full international fixtures. Bowlers I have spoken to have talked about the importance of the venue and for some their dream to one day qualify to play at Northfield. It has become our Hampden or Murrayfield, the spiritual home for Scottish bowls.

“This year we hosted a fantastically successful National Championships, which we know both delivers a high-quality event for our players and spectators, and also benefits local businesses, bringing millions of pounds of economic benefit to South Ayrshire. We are looking forward to continuing to host the National Championships here, while also bringing other events such as next year’s British Bowls Championships and Internationals, which will incorporate the men’s, women’s and para internationals simultaneously at a single venue for the first time.

“While our financial model means that a potential increase in cost for the National Centre of many times our current position will be painful, we do understand the Council’s position and the pressures they are operating under. We are committed to working with them to find a mutually beneficial outcome that secures the future of the National Centre for Bowling, while not putting the financial stability of our sport at risk.”

Bowls Scotland will continue negotiations with South Ayrshire Council, as well as engaging with other users of Northfield. Further updates will be provided to our members as the situation progresses.