The next time you visit the seniors centre in Mission, listen for the sounds of laughter, cheering and camaraderie, it’s sure to lead you to the carpet bowlers.
Formerly the Mission Lawn Bowling Club, the group moved from its old location on Hurd Street to the new Boswyk Seniors Activity Centre, located on Grand Street by the Mission Leisure Centre.
According to Linda Lang, activity lead for carpet bowling, the move has been a success.
“It’s been excellent, it’s been really good. I think everyone is happy here,” she said while waiting for her turn to bowl.
‘It’s much better here. The room is bigger and we can play three times a week.”
The group bowls every Tuesday and Thursday morning as well as Wednesday afternoons. However they aren’t the only group to use the room. When they aren’t playing, the floor curlers are.
“Before, we could leave the carpets down, because we didn’t have to change. Here we have to pick them up every time that’s really the only disadvantage,” said Lang.
However, everyone lends a hand and the equipment gets put away fast.
Two games are played during each session, which doesn’t leave much time for a coffee break.
“Hopefully when the kitchen reopen we can all go then and have lunch.”
The centre was closed for all of January, due to COVID restrictions, and reopened in February. Lang said some players have yet to come back.
“Most of our bowlers came back, but some haven’t because of age and other factors… But we’ve picked up some new bowlers who live in the building and now bowl with us.”
When the group moved to the seniors centre it became part of the Mission Seniors Association.
“Our old hall is going to become an arts centre, which really pleases me to see it being used,” said Lang, who started lawn bowling in Mission in 2012.
Due to the hot weather, she and her fellow lawn bowlers decided to switch to carpet bowling to allow for year-round activity.
“It’s a fun game, all you have to do is be able to bend over,” she said.
Lang suggests people wear comfortable shoes, otherwise there is no special equipment needed. Anyone can drop in and try it, it’s free to play.
“It’s a social thing but it’s also an exercise thing. We compete, but we don’t take it too seriously.”
Other players agree.
“It’s the fun and excitement,” said Ken. “I like it, we all have a lot of fun. We have two carpets going in the afternoon.”
A newcomer to the sport, Caroline said she was looking for some activity and a way to meet good people.
“These people are great. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are, just roll the ball and see what happens. I’m feeling very welcome.”
As activity at the centre increases, Lang said she has noticed some positive changes.
“People used to think the seniors centre was a place for old people, but I notice more and more younger people are coming in here, people in their mid to late 50s.”
And they are all welcome to test their skill at carpet bowling.
