Clubs WA

04 Feb 2008

Government grant monies extended to the City of Mandurah for works to relocate a roadway through the site occupied by the Mandurah Bowling Club for over 50 years will sound the death nell for the popular bowling facility. Clubs WA Executive Director Peter Seaman said today “the haste to build the road and to not offer reasonable relocation to the town’s founding bowling club means that they will have little option than to remain at the site until forcibly removed”. “Despite enormous goodwill by the club over an extended period to reach terms for a new facility, the City of Mandurah and its consultants now seem determined on a development path of their own which does not include a facility suitable to the original owners” Mr Seaman said.  Clubs WA is concerned that if the current offer is considered by the Mandurah Bowling Club they will be accepting enormous debt and responsibility combined with poor lease terms that will not be sustainable. That along with an inferior building that includes shared usage with non compatible groups means a poor return for the club and its volunteer members who have been an integral part of Mandurah’s sporting & social history.  “The club should be generously compensated and assisted with a viable relocation proposal for its part in surrendering its future at this valuable site. It should be a serious concern to Government that the club who responded positively to facilitate their pet project (Perth to Mandurah Rail) should now be treated so shabbily by the local council that has been so generously funded by the State” Mr Seaman added. 

Mandurah Bowling & Recreation Club President, Mr Jim Perkins, has called an urgent meeting with City councillors to reinstate the level of goodwill and understanding that was abandoned by council officers in 2003.