It became apparent that there were some local enthusiasts bent on providing a bowling green in the area. In 1960 a public meeting was convened by the Tennis Club action committee, when a notice of motion was adopted to make the project a combined tennis and bowling complex, to be known as the Maraetai Tennis and Bowling Clubs, with all the capital and effort equally shared.

The then Manukau County Council made available the area of reserve where the clubs are now located in Te Pene Road, at a peppercorn rental on a lease basis. Plans went ahead for a suitable pavilion on the site which was built by employing a builder, Mr Harry Farr assisted by a band of keen helpers who also did the basic work on the rinks and courts.

A local contractor, Mr Bob Holland, laid the base course and sealed the courts, while a landscape specialist in bowling greens prepared and grassed the rinks.

Although each club has its management committee, control of the complex has been administrated by a properties committee with members from both clubs.

The sports complex was finally opened on Saturday, December 15, 1962, by the Chairman of the County Council, Mr Lambie, and official visitors included Mr L. Gotz, Minister of Internal Affairs and Mr A.E. Allen MP.

This final achievement was made possible mainly by hard work, determination and enthusiasm of a group of local residents in Maraetai and Beachlands. These included ‘Nat’ Gould, the then Maraetai School Headmaster; Mrs Jean Tracey, who was the financial wizard of the project; Mr Maurice Tracey who because of his unflagging efforts was made a life member of the bowling club in 1963; Mr Walter Hopping, the Manukau County Riding member; Frank Pitts, Rob Ross, Arthur Jamieson, Phil Niccolls and many others, to say nothing of the wives who worked so hard raising money with raffles and stalls.

The cost of the project, without assessing the voluntary labour, came to approximately 4,800 pounds, which included work on the grounds, pavilion and shed, bowling green, tennis courts, bore and pump.

In 1962 the Men’s Bowling Club boasted 27 full playing members, compared with 88 today, with Mr F. W. Pitts as first President and Mr W.E. Tonks as Secretary. The Women’s Bowling Club started out more tentatively with about 10 members under the guidance of President ‘Mac’ Couldren, Secretary Monobel Doidge and coached by Mrs ‘Tim’ Flavell and Essie Anderson. Today the membership stands at 60.

Tennis Club membership now totals between 30 – 40 seniors, 10 intermediates and 14 juniors.

However with the growth of the individual clubs, it has become apparent that segregation of tennis and bowls is necessary to cope comfortably with the numbers.

With the projected development at Te Puru creek, it is hoped that tennis courts will be included, leaving the Te Pene Road property for the bowling clubs alone which have just completed an extension to the pavilion to cope with the demands of present and future memberships.

Reprinted from the publication: The Magic of Maraetai – History of Maraetai School and District. (Circa1980) Authorised by Nikki Ferigo.

Todays playing membership is 37: 15 ladies and 22 gentlemen.