SLBC since 1913
Where Have We Been?
Spokane's original lawn bowling club was established in 1913 at Manito Park, but each spring one of he park's natural springs flooded it out. The carved-out square is still evident on the northwest corner of Manito (along 25th Ave), and it still floods each early summer, creating a super thick turf.
Spokane Lawn Bowling Club was later reestablished at Albi Stadium in the spring of 1978. The current green, on East Mission Triangle, opened in 1981 behind Witter Aquatic Center (1300 E Mission Ave), across from Avista's headquarters.
1981 location behind Witter Pool
The Spokane Lawn Bowling Club completed its natural grass green in September, 1980. It is 75 ft. by 120 ft., or five rinks one way and eight shorter rinks the other. The cost was about $9000. Donations from local contractors, help from Spokane Parks Department and volunteer help from club members cut expenses to a minimum. The club's membership doubled that year to 30.
2024 Rebuilding
SLBC received a generous grant from Spokane Parks Foundation
to help rebuild our decaying backboards and ditches. Club members searched widely, chose Alaskan Yellow Cedar, and drove to Tacoma to procure a huge truckload of 10-foot-long boards. The install timeline is early spring 2024, with Spokane Parks and Recreation's Maintenance Department generously providing support and doing the installation.
On the east and west sides of the green, new backboards will hold up the reconfigured banks, and on the north and south ends, ditch boxes will be attached to the backboards. The boxes will be lined with artificial turf in alternating colors. Our 122' X 76' green will be looking fancy before the 2024 season begins!
With deep thanks to each of the following: