Lithgow Croquet Club puts government grant to use and starts ground maintenance

In November 2018 Lithgow Croquet Club received a grant of $160,405 from Bathurst MP Paul Toole to expand its operation and host bigger competitions.

The club has put this money to good use, with their old lawn removed and extended on two sides, new turf laid and new fencing installed.

"This will allow for more competitions in the future," Lithgow Croquet Club president Cass Hawkins said.

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Ms Hawkins said with the larger lawn area, the group will be able to fit more playing areas, with would allow more players to play a variety of games on the lawn at the same time.

"When complete we will be happy to show off our better lawn to visiting clubs," she said.

"We dubbed our last gateball competition in February 2019, 'The Last Lithgow Lumpy Lawn Competition'."

But the group, like many in the Lithgow district, has been affected by COVID-19.

"The PCYC and Club Lithgow, very kindly, allowed us space to play our different games during the renovation, but we had to close down just one week after the works commenced due to the virus," she said.

According to Ms Hawkins 2020 was shaping up pretty well for the Club, and if the virus outbreak calms down and allows the group to get back on the field it will be even better.

"We are very excited and very much looking forward to playing on the new lawn, and having our gateball competition in September," she said.

"Hopefully we don't have to postpone the September competition, however there have been some delays due to weather, so the works are behind schedule, and the lawn will take some time to fully establish, and then there is COVID-19 to consider also."

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But once all the dust has settled, the group will be back with a grand opening gala day and some 'come and try croquet' days to show the community what they are all about.

"It will show the community that it is for all ages, that all forms of croquet are fun, it is great exercise for the mind and excellent for anyone that doesn't want to play a sport that isn't too physically challenging," she said.

"We are friendly, fun, and sometimes competitive bunch who enjoy the challenge of mastering the mallet and ball."

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