Work on the all-weather venue is expected to start in November, subject to planning permit approvals, and  completed in the new year.

Club general manager Julie Dosser said it was an exciting development for Warrnambool which aimed to bring more younger players to the sport.

Ms Dosser said the new facility would allow the club to host night-time bowling and attract state events. She said she also hoped more schools would include lawn bowls in their curriculum.

The two greens closest to Cramer Street will be covered with a large roof structure and a new enclosure which will be partially see-through and open to allow ventilation. To make room for the undercover alfresco dining area, the green closest to the club house would be moved six-metres closer to the second green. Ms Dosser said the glass panels in the current dining area may also be replaced with doors that could be opened up to the alfresco area on a nice day.

She said the new roof was similar to those being erected at other bowling clubs across the state. “It’s a bit like a circus-type tent,” she said. “There’s quite a few of them going up but this would be the first in this area. It will be great for Warrnambool.”

While the new structure would act as a wind break for the club’s other two greens, there were no plans for them to be upgraded other than some minor paving works.

Ms Dosser said some members were initially concerned that the development would affect the view, but they were now on board and had pushed for the club to expand the roof project to two greens instead of just one. The development, which will be fully funded by the club, also aimed to cater for work functions and other corporate events.

There were also plans for a new shorter bowls competition catering for younger people who didn’t have time to travel across the region for the Saturday pennant.