Saturday 12 May saw a meeting at the Bowling Club for Bowling Club and Tennis Club members to have presented in more detail plans for the new combined club premises. The project has recently had granted by the Waitakere Ranges Local Board $50,000 towards the project. The clubs are working up an application to Auckland Council for resource consent for the development, and are consulting members and the community on their plans.

The project architect Brent Hulena had plans to show members and explained detail of the design. The building fits in the kite-shaped space between bowling green and tennis courts, and replaces the existing Bowling Club building, on the principle of one-building-in and one-building-out. The building is a multi-use facility for sports, events and dining.  The entry is from the north, there is a mobility ramp and verandas 9 feet wide on the west and eastern sides.

The building is one storey in height with a mezzanine in the south-west corner allowing an upstairs office and meeting room. The profile is low, with a pitched roof to the west, providing western views to Lion Rock. There are large roof overhangs to control the summer sun.

Because it is situated in a flood plain, the building is slightly elevated, being 900cm above ground level at the bowling green side and half a metre above the tennis courts level to the south.  The floor is a concrete slab which will enable the retention of daytime warmth, with a roll-out wooden floor for dancing. Large sliding windows to the west and east are double-glazed to enable even interior temperatures and containment of sound.

The building is timber-clad and large window areas on both west and east sides will allow ventilation to control summer heat. In the area where the existing bowling club is situated, it is intended to create a bund of 1-1.5 metres height and dense planting along the west boundary to protect the green from westerly winds. The need for a means to protect bowlers from the wind was raised with a temporary wind fence before trees establish discussed.

Also raised was a desire to retain and accommodate the existing honours boards and fabric from the existing clubhouse so the history of the club is carried into the new building.

See plans for the new building here  Floor Plan 12 March 12

Also visit the website of the Piha Community Sports and Recreation Club here http://pihasports.wordpress.com/