New Para Toilet for Paritutu Bowlers

New Plymouth’s Paritutu Bowling Club is nearly 100 years old, with centennial celebrations planned for Easter 2024. The busy club has three outside natural greens and a 6-rink indoor carpet stadium, allowing for bowling, whatever the weather.
 
“We have some very big tournaments and crowds at Paritutu each year and were scheduled to host a Para Bowls NZ tournament later in the year. With that in mind, and the fact that we often have people using walkers on our grounds, the club asked us to investigate funding for a new para toilet,” said Eddie Betts, Grants Committee.
 
Funding of $12,404 from the Toi Foundation enabled the Paritutu Bowling Club to build a new para toilet as part of their foyer and entrance ramp upgrade.
 
“I’ve always found the people at Toi very easy to deal with, and they were especially helpful with funding for this new facility,” said Eddie.
 
“We realigned the entrance ramp and installed automatic doors, as well. Now, anyone with a walker or wheelchair can access the club’s buildings and easily use the purpose-built bathroom facilities. It makes bowling at Paritutu more accessible for everyone.” 
 
"The Para Bowls NZ Nationals held at the Paritutu Bowling Club in New Plymouth recently was a huge success,” said Pam Walker, Secretary, Para Bowls NZ.  
 
“Positive feedback was received from many people including Paritutu members, our own Para members, and other people such as markers who were involved in the tournament. The general vibe was how much everyone enjoyed themselves, how competitive the bowls were and how inspiring the Para bowlers are on and off the green."

“The Paritutu Bowling Club is immensely proud to be the hosts of this tournament, and the Toi Foundation who gave us a grant should be proud too,” said Eddie. 
 
“Such a simple thing as an accessible toilet helped to make this possible.”