Bowling greens are central to many clubs and community hubs, but maintaining them in good condition throughout the year is not always straightforward.
Sun exposure, heavy rain, and strong winds all take a toll on the playing surface, limiting availability and increasing upkeep demands. To address this, more clubs are choosing to install covers.
These structures shield the green from the elements, extend playing hours, and reduce wear, while also creating a more consistent environment for members. The result is improved playing conditions, lower maintenance needs, and better long-term value for the facility.
Naturally, the financial side is an important part of the decision. The cost of installing a cover can vary significantly based on design, materials, and the level of customisation, as well as broader market and regulatory influences.
In this article, we will break down the main factors that affect pricing, highlighting what contributes to higher costs and what helps to control them.
Why Covered Bowling Greens Are Awesome
Across Australia, more bowling clubs are choosing to cover their greens. The benefits are clear: members can bowl more often, surfaces are protected from the elements, and clubs gain greater flexibility in how they use their facilities.
For many, the decision has proven to be a practical upgrade that also strengthens community involvement. Some of the main advantages include:
- All-weather play: Rain or heat no longer interrupt games. Fans can also be installed to keep the area cooler during hot periods.
- Scheduling certainty: Competitions, pennants, and social events can run as planned. This reliability supports both reputation and financial performance.
- Protection of the green: A cover limits UV exposure and reduces surface wear, which helps greens last longer and lowers maintenance costs.
- Expanded use of space: With protective flooring in place, covered greens can host community functions, fundraisers, or private events.
- Member growth and retention: Improved facilities often draw in new members and keep existing ones engaged, which strengthens club numbers.
- Community partnerships and sponsorships: A high-quality covered facility is more attractive to sponsors and opens doors for collaboration with local organisations.
- Improved accessibility: A shaded and comfortable environment makes bowls more appealing to older players and spectators.
For many clubs, a covered green becomes a long-term investment that pays off through stronger participation, reduced costs, and greater community connection.
Cost Drivers
The cost of covering a sport court is shaped by a variety of elements. Some relate directly to the design and construction of your project, while others come from outside influences like labour or regional conditions.
Below we’ll explore the main cost drivers that typically come into play. Understanding how each one affects pricing makes it easier to plan ahead, compare options, and strike a balance between budget, functionality, and the experience you want to create for members.
Single vs Multiple Greens
Economies of scale apply here. This means covering multiple will be more cost-effective in the long run. It’s also worth considering whether a second one can be added later to extend the coverage. If you’re considering eventually building multiple, it may be worth doing all at once.
There are a number of costs involved in projects like these, such as site establishment fee, floating equipment on site, transportation of materials and travel for installers. If you build a second green at the same time these costs stay very similar but the cost value increases.
Site Access
How we can work onsite is factored into pricing. For example, when building a new green we suggest building the cover first then resurfacing the green. This is because existing greens need extra care to avoid damage.
There may also be greens that need to be avoided entirely, rather than just putting protective covers down. The biggest factor is whether we can work on the green for installation. Bowling greens have a very delicate surface compared to other sports courts, like basketball or netball courts.
Using equipment directly on the green is the most efficient way to build but can cause damage to an existing green, with wheel marks and ruts. The best way to do this is when a green is about to be converted to a synthetic green. That way we can build the cover, and then the green is replaced.
The other option is to work off the green. For this, we don’t access the green in any way; the excavator and other equipment are outside. This does require space surrounding the green, with a 4m perimeter ideal, plus enough room for a crane and compound for steelwork. This adds extra cost as larger equipment is needed to reach the space from outside the green.
Size
Like most structures, the larger the cover, the more materials you’ll need, and consequently, the greater the investment. However, economies of scale come into play here. That’s why constructing two covers can be more cost-effective than just one.
The extent of shelter you want to provide affects the cost. Some clubs prefer to cover only the playing surface, utilising existing shelters around the green to protect spectators. Others, however, aim to provide a uniform experience for everyone at the club.
Size or coverage isn’t the only factor that impacts the cost. The height of the structure plays a significant role too. It influences the wind loading, which can affect the size of the steel required or the amount of bracing needed, not to mention the foundations.
For instance, are you aiming to keep the sides low for superior weather protection? Or perhaps you’d prefer them higher to preserve sight lines from the clubhouse or perhaps, as we heard from a club recently, higher to let in the winter sunshine. These are all considerations that impact both your project’s design and cost.
In essence, the size and structure of your cover can significantly impact the cost. But with careful planning and consideration of these factors, you can strike the perfect balance between functionality, the experience you’re wanting to create at the club, and budget.
Site Surfaces and Footings
What we are building on impacts the price. Building on more durable surfaces minimises costs, like concrete or asphalt, or a more natural surface, like bark, grass, or bare dirt. Concrete and asphalt are unlikely to be damaged, while natural surfaces are simple and cheap to repair.
In comparison, synthetic surfaces (like artificial turf) are easily damaged and harder to fix. The footings (deep holds for the steel supports to go in) may be easier or harder to install depending on the material underneath. For example, hard rock may require special tools or engineering.
Design
The design of a cover structure plays a key role in both its appearance and functionality. Thoughtful design choices can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the facility, improve player and spectator comfort, and increase the versatility of the space for events and club activities.
However, every added feature can influence the cost, so clubs need to consider which elements will provide the most value for their investment. Some common design features that can affect pricing include:
- Infills
- Side skirts
- Leaning ends
- Overhangs
- Awnings
Each of these elements adds material, labour, and installation complexity. For example, infills and side skirts provide extra weather protection and improve visual continuity, while overhangs and awnings can extend coverage and create shaded areas for spectators.
By carefully selecting the features that align with the club’s priorities, it is possible to balance functionality, aesthetics, and budget.
Structure Materials
Materials are central to its durability, appearance, and overall cost. The most common choice is powder-coated steelwork paired with PVC fabric, which offers a balance of strength, aesthetics, and practicality.
Pre-fabricated components make installation more efficient, and the fabric allows natural light to filter through, creating a bright and welcoming space. Compared to galvanised steel, this combination generally provides a cleaner visual impact while maintaining long-term performance.
Beyond aesthetics, these materials offer functional benefits. The design is typically birdproof and can be configured with additional cleats or brackets to support scoreboards, lighting, and sound systems.
For some clubs or site conditions, alternative options such as shade-only structures or steel-only covers may be more suitable. Choosing the right materials involves considering maintenance requirements, visual appeal, and how the structure will integrate with existing facilities.
Geographic Location
Where a sport court cover is built can influence project planning and certain costs, though location alone rarely dominates the overall budget.
We deliver projects across all of Australia, and while transporting materials, equipment, and skilled installers to more remote sites can add some expense, these costs are generally manageable and factored into project estimates. The main considerations are more related to the natural environment than distance alone.
Environmental conditions in different regions can significantly affect design requirements and materials. Areas prone to strong winds, such as parts of the Sunshine Coast, require steelwork engineered to handle higher wind loads, which can increase fabrication and installation costs.
Similarly, sites near the coast fall within corrosion zones, where exposure to salt-laden air demands protective finishes such as epoxy coatings or galvanised steel to prevent rust. Accounting for these regional factors ensures the structure remains safe, durable, and fit for purpose over the long term.
Customisations and Technology
Modern sport court covers can be fitted with a range of technological features to enhance both play and club events. Many structures incorporate lighting, public address systems, and scoreboards to ensure the green is fully functional for competitions and social gatherings.
Clubs that already have existing lighting, whether from light towers or the clubhouse, can often integrate additional fixtures into the new structure, creating a seamless and efficient setup.
Customisations can also include practical design elements such as end walls or in-fill panels. While these additions increase the overall cost, they offer tangible benefits, including improved weather protection and better control over light and wind conditions.
Thoughtful integration of technology and custom features allows clubs to tailor the facility to their specific needs, enhancing functionality, comfort, and the overall experience for players and spectators alike.
Labour Costs
Labour is a key component of any sport court cover project, and availability can have a significant impact on overall pricing. The cost of skilled installers, fabricators, and transport personnel can fluctuate depending on market conditions and demand for construction services.
Even if all other aspects of the project are straightforward, limited labour availability can affect timelines and increase expenses, particularly when a project needs to be completed on short notice.
Recent trends have shown a steady rise in labour costs across the construction sector, reflecting higher demand and competition for skilled tradespeople. Clubs should factor in potential variations when planning their budget and scheduling installation.
Engaging experienced contractors early in the process can help secure the necessary workforce, maintain quality standards, and reduce the risk of delays or additional costs during the project.
The Greenline Advantage
At Greenline, we specialise in designing and building high-quality, durable, and visually appealing sport court covers across Australia. Our team works closely with clubs to consider all project-specific and external factors, helping deliver a solution that is both cost-effective and tailored to your needs.
From initial consultation through to construction and final handover, we provide expert guidance and support to make your sporting cover project a success. For more insights, grab our free guide to maximizing your outdoor space below.
