Check out the trial bocce court!
Dianne Reed
Bocce is finally here at SunBird thanks to the hard work of many people. After years of discussion and debate, a trial bocce court has been constructed and is being used by many SunBird residents. The HOA Project Planning Committee has long debated the feasibility and space considerations for a bocce ball court area at SunBird. A very special thanks goes out to Bill Hook, committee chair, Margaret McCathern, project organizer, and Layne Varney for all their hard work and dedication to this project. After studying what other communities have done and exploring possible location sites for the court, their efforts have made this sport a reality here at SunBird.
Researching the community interest and finding the location was just the beginning. It took many hours of service from residents and the SunBird team to make this trial court playable. John Smith, Supervisor of SunBird Maintenance, and Joe Anderson from the landscaping team made the court appear. More SunBird residents came together and the final lawn was laid on Friday, March 6, just in time for the kick-off celebration on Monday.
The kick-off celebration gave SunBird residents a chance to see a bocce game played, discuss the rules and have instruction from some experienced players. Everyone who wanted could roll a few bocce balls and try out the new sport. The trial court is now ready for use by everyone in SunBird.
The trial court is located at the intersection of Championship Drive and Kerby Farms Road. The court may be used from sun up to sundown by all SunBird residents and their guests. There is no vehicle parking at the site so we encourage everyone to use golf carts or bicycles and park those on the designated gravel areas. The trial bocce area also has no available seating so you may like to bring a lawn chair for comfort. Please keep the area free of debris.
The Bocce Ball Club has team play at 2:00-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Equipment will be provided during this time. Anyone may sign up to participate in the club play on the sign-up sheet clipboard in the Clubhouse Library. At all other times the court is available for open play on a first come basis. We ask that players limit their game to 11 points if others are waiting. You must have your own equipment for open play times.
Come join us any Monday or Wednesday afternoon to see the sport being played and learn more about bocce. It is a game for all ages and physical abilities. Newcomers are encouraged and you’ll be surprised at how good a player you are!