COLAC Bowling Club hopes to start installing a synthetic green at its lakeside headquarters in October.

Outgoing club president Brian Russell said the project, first touted in 2008, was likely to come to fruition later this year.

“Basically we’ve had the support of the members to go ahead and investigate it and at the moment we’re gaining prices and whatever,” he said.

“We’re at the stage where we’ll select someone to install it and sign contracts.

“At this stage a starting date, it depends on the availability of the fabric and materials and their work schedule.”

Mr Russell said a synthetic green was “always on the drawing board” after the club received a mandate for the project from members at its 2008 annual meeting.

But he said officials had to ensure the financial stability of the club before considering a new green.

“We just had to wait. It’s going to be a $200,000 project and we’ve got the commitment to the poker machines, to purchase our own from August next year,” he said.

“It was always on the agenda, it’s now the opportune time that we were in a financial situation.

“We didn’t want to spend $200,000 on that and forfeit the right to purchase the poker machines.

“We’re feeling in a comfortable position to purchase them and keep continuing on that venture and now we feel we are clear to install a new green.”

Colac Bowling Club, on the corner of Armstrong and Moore streets, has three grass greens and had pennant matches transferred away from the club due to rain last season.

The synthetic green will ensure bowlers can play the sport all year and eliminate frustrating match transfers.

“It’s another phase in the future of the club,” Mr Russell said.

Installing a synthetic green received a final go-ahead at the club’s 2011 annual meeting, which also installed Jeff Turner to the presidency.

Greg Brown is secretary, Ray Hutchison and Allen Jones are vice-presidents and Peter Hickey and Bernie Casey have joined the committee.