In 1968 the Chesterton Bowls Club had moved from Milton Road to Logans Way and a report from the Sports Council at the time recommended that at least one indoor club should be built in the Cambridge area. The site adjacent to the outdoor club was considered an ideal location for such a venture, and plans were drawn up in 1972. To get the backing of the Sports Council and the necessary grant however, the club would need to raise £15,000.
With funding from local councils, the Sports Council, Greene King, Premier Travel and the sale of life memberships, building work commenced late 1973, with completion scheduled for September 1974. The work was awarded to H Y Morris & Sons of Ely. To keep costs down, much of the work was done by volunteers, with the entire heating system and interior woodwork installed by teams recruited from the local bowling community.
The original building housed a six rink green with a bar where the current office is sited. There were no restaurant facilities.
In 1995 it was proposed that a dining room and kitchens be added, but grants for this alone were not available and so it was proposed that two extra rinks were added at the same time and a Lottery grant applied for. A Lottery grant of £232K went a long way towards the £421K cost of the extension and building work commenced in January 1997 to be completed 7 months later.
In 2022 the club received a much needed upgrade, with international level LED lighting and a new laser-levelled playing surface with blue carpet to rinks 1-6. In 2024 the lighting was further upgraded to include rinks 7 & 8.
Thanks must go the many people that contributed to the formation of the club and the building of the superb facilities we enjoy today. Although below it's peak of 1200 members in the 1990's, the club still has a thriving membership of almost 1000 members and it's facilities are regarded as some of the best in the country. It's members continue to qualify for National honours, as they have since 1973.
