Storms that wreaked havoc on Christmas Eve have caused extensive damage to Kyneton Bowling Club, shutting the venue during one of its busiest times of year.
Hail blocked guttering causing part of the upper storey roof to collapse and water to pour into the board room, kitchen and bistro of the club. Water damage downstairs was minimal.
Last Thursday, the club re-opened downstairs but significant damage to level one means the bistro will be closed until further notice.
Venue manager, Leanne Forde, said impact of the storm has been “really devastating” for the club with clean-up ongoing.
In her 18 years at KBC, she could not recall such a damaging impact from the adverse weather.
Kyneton Fire Brigade’s Tristian Smith said the brigade had just completed its annual Santa Run around the town when the club raised the alarm.
Mr Smith assumed the role of incident controller. Other brigade members, SES volunteers from Woodend and Gisborne also attended, along with police and Powercor emergency personnel.
Water extraction machines have been continuously utilised inside the building, with 300 litres soaked up on the first night.
The bowling club expressed gratitude to all who came to help on the day of the storm and since that time.
The adjacent Kyneton Library building also sustained some flooding and floodwaters entered the Woolworths, The Reject Shop and some other nearby stores. Kyneton Toyota Sports and Aquatic Centre, and Kyneton Mechanics Institute also had minor impact from the storm activity.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council Acting CEO Shane Walden said assessments of the damage and clean-up continued at the bowling club last week.
“The prompt response and clean-up efforts of emergency services, council staff, building tenants and contractors minimised the impact on public-facing services at most buildings,” he said.
“There was no impact to operating hours at KTSAC and only a short two-day closure of Kyneton Library.”
“The Kyneton Library received water damage to the carpet and ceiling tiles. A small amount of water entered the Kyneton Mechanics Institute, causing a power failure.
“The council has insurance to cover damage to its buildings and is continuing to work through the extent of the damage, required repairs and potential costs to determine whether a claim needs to be lodged.”
Some rainfall estimates were about 40 millimetres in the centre of Kyneton in about 20 minutes. Farmonline Weather recorded Kyneton receiving 55 millimetres in the 24 hours on December 24/25.
