In September 2024, the Morwell Bowling Club suffered a catastrophic fire that destroyed their main club venue and impacted the function centre. The Bowls greens including tensile roofs and lounge survived.

The fire began with a faulty switch on a board that had been properly heated mapped only a few months prior. The fire was attended by a large Fire Rescue Victoria team who had to contend with low pressures in the local water main, but had the use of fire tanks installed with the recent function room project.

The Clubs insurer quickly engaged remediation teams, a fire builder and engineering assessors on site immediately to begin the process of getting the club back trading. Insite have been working on multiple fronts to master plan the rebuild, coordinate deign and approvals for a temporary venue and provide detailing to reinstate areas that survived the fire.

Click through the photo gallery below to view a selection of images.

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Building Remediation

The new function room two storey building survived, but with extensive smoke and water damage. The lift, kitchen and toilets were burnt out and much of the internal fit out had to be removed to clean ceiling spaces and wall cavities. Steel and concrete elements were examined to check their structural integrity. This area is being rebuilt to match the previous construction documents.

Temporary Venue

With the rebuild of the club likely to take more than a year, a temporary venue has been erected under the east bowls roof to recommence trading before Christmas. This has been an interesting experience with planning approvals being under emergency orders and the construction to conform with Temporary Building codes under the old Victorian Building Regulations.

Essentially two large marquees are butted against each other, portable bathrooms and cool rooms erected. Insite have scheduled much of the fit out including kitchen and bar fit out will be relocated to the new rebuilt venue.

Click through the photo gallery below to view a selection of images.

Venue Rebuild

Insite are preparing a fast-track design, documentation and construction program to deliver the project with separate construction packages for the earliest commencement on site and quickest completion time.

After forensic examination, the slab to the fire damaged venue will be retained and the building has to match the old footprint to avoid a planning submission process. Insite is planning a layout similar to the old layout but with more efficient spaces, better ceiling heights and better relationships.

A new larger kitchen, high efficiency mechanical systems, automated lighting and audio-visual systems will be part of a ramped up quality to the venue.

A state-of-the-art venue will rise from the ashes.

Article by CCV Partner Insite Architects.