New facilities to bowl clubs over

Released on 05 February 2007

Surrey Heath Borough Council is working hard to ensure the viability of bowls in Camberley by proposing to introduce new and improved facilities in the town.

The Council is proposing to amalgamate Watchetts and Camberley Bowling Clubs on one site and invest in a new pavilion, costing around £100,000.

At a meeting of the Executive on Tuesday, Councillors agreed that Watchetts and Camberley Bowling Clubs be offered a long term lease on the same basis as recently offered to Mytchett and Old Dean Clubs, with the addition of 'in principle' Council capital investment for the replacement of one pavilion, subject to the agreement of both clubs to amalgamate on one of the two existing sites.

In recent years all of the clubs in the area have had significant vacancies in club membership which has affected their viability.

Portfolio Holder for Economy and the Environment Cllr Pat Pearce said: "Amalgamating the two clubs on one site is a significant change when clubs have been based in the same place for many years. However, the existing timber and glass pavilions will soon not be economic to repair. New and improved facilities on a single site, with a joint club membership should provide the foundations needed for a successful independent club in the future."

There are currently six bowling clubs in Surrey Heath, four of which are supported by the Borough Council and two are independent. It is intended that eventually all the clubs in the Borough will be run independently. The majority of clubs in the local sub-region are independent, receiving no on-going financial support from their respective Councils.

A further report will go before the Executive in due course outlining the capital investment proposals for a replacement pavilion, and for reuse of one of the two existing club sites.

Windlesham and West End Bowling Clubs run independently. Camberley, Mytchett, Old Dean and Watchetts are supported by the Borough Council.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ref: News 388

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------