Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Club

In late 1962, five well known Aberdeen Business Men:- J.L.Craig, Aberdeen County Clerk; Peter Craigmyle, Sports Outfitter; J.R.Donald, Advocate; James Esson, Retired Hotelkeeper and William McKay, Granite Merchant - all enthusiastic bowlers, who having visited and been inspired by the indoor bowling stadia at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Ayr, Perth and Dundee conceived the idea of building a stadium in Aberdeen.

On a return journey by coach from a game at Dundee they submitted their thoughts to the other players travelling and these were met with such great interest and approval that they decided to go ahead. To get the venture underway a company was formed "The Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Rink". Ground was acquired- 2.2 acres between the then Central Fire Station and Summerhill Road. Plans were drawn up by Thomson & Craig, Architects, Aberdeen.

The eight rink Stadium was formally opened on the 5th October 1963 by the Rev. Professor John Graham, Lord Provost of Aberdeen. The Club at that time had a membership of 1100 Men & 400 ladies, rising to 1428 men & 620 ladies by 1964. The Annual Subscription in 1963 was 25/- for men & 15/- for ladies. Green fees varied from 2/- to 3/6 per player depending on the time of the session.

By 1972 the length of the waiting lists were becoming an embarrassment and the Directors decided to extend the stadium with the addition of 4 rinks. This extension was completed by the end of 1972 allowing a further 300 men & 200 ladies to join.

Today the membership stands at 2300 men & 1300 ladies who are all due a debt of gratitude to the original "five wise men on a bus returning home from Dundee in 1963".

Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Rink continue to own the building but in ??? withdrew from managing the club. The club is now run by a committee of management on behalf of its members and pays an annual lease to Aberdeen Indoor Bowling Rink.