RBL residents pitch in for a new sports arena

AN initiative by residents has led to a new sport – petanque –being introduced at the 53-villa Roches Beach Living (RBL) lifestyle village in Lauderdale.

The village’s 71 residents recently celebrated the opening of their large new pétanque arena, featuring four full-sized petanque/ boules/bocce courts.

The opening of the new arena marks the conclusion of a successful 12-month project initiated by a core group of residents keen to find an alternative use for the village’s old bowling green, which had deteriorated in recent years and was no longer suitable for playing bowls.

The RBL Residents Committee surveyed all residents to gauge the level of support for a petanque arena, the number of residents interested in playing pétanque regularly, and whether participants would also be willing to help fund the project.

The survey not only attracted strong support for the proposal, but a commitment from residents to contribute to the cost of developing the new sporting arena. The RBL Committee also made a contribution from its cash reserves.

Roches Beach Living’s owner, Christian Homes Tasmania, backed the residents’ initiative, agreeing to fund part of the cost of the pétanque court.

Project organisers liaised with South Hobart-based landscape specialist Males Sand to supply gravel to cover the 300sqm surface, with Males offering both a special price and staff on-site to assist with the timely and efficient delivery of materials.

Delivery was briefly delayed by heavy early summer rains late last year which soaked the entrance route for delivery trucks.

Once a delivery date was confirmed residents got to work removing old drainage material from a gutter surrounding the arena, and then back-filled with new geofabric drainage.

Bobcat operator Bill Lyden from Andrew Lyden Builders then assisted by evenly spreading the bulk of the 26 cubic metres of infill, helped by residents with rakes and shovels.

In addition to the bowls green conversion, residents also sanded and painted half a dozen outdoor bench seats for placement around the petanque arena.

RBL Residents Village Committee chair Bob Ashby and Pétanque Court sub-committee organiser Jeff Findlay say the new sporting arena will provide residents with enjoyment and entertainment over the warmer months and for years to come.