Fears for future of Brisbane bowls clubs as memberships dwindle, three forced to close

A prominent bowls club will become the third in Brisbane to close this year, raising fears the days of the humble clubs are numbered.

THERE are fears the days of the humble bowls club may be numbered as facilities across Brisbane are forced to close in the face of dwindling memberships.

Toowong Bowls Club will today close its doors for the final time after an uphill battle over membership decline and financial hardship.

It’s the latest in string of once-popular bowls clubs to shut up shop in the River City.

Three Brisbane bowls clubs have closed this year alone.

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The Toowong Bowls Club will have its final day on the green today, with the association set to close after this morning’s social bowls.

Cannon Hill Bowls Club closed in May this year after council did not renew their lease because they could not afford expensive renovations required to meet fire regulations.

The Moorooka bowls club, which was established in 1968, shut down after its roughly 500 members dwindled to about 50 in its final years.

Toowong Bowls Club members Rob Malcolm, David Falkenmite, Lloyd Lyndon, Toni LaÕBrooy and John McConnachy will have one last roll today before closing. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Toowong Bowls Club president David Falkenmire said financial hardships could no longer go ignored.

“It has been a battle since the 2011 floods for us, the club was wrecked, we had to completely rebuild and had debt from that,” Mr Falkenmire said.

“We leased out our bar and restaurant at the start of last year and then they had some financial problems that triggered the close,” he said.

Bowls Queensland CEO Brett Wilkie said that while the sport attracted many people, they were not signing memberships.

“Lots of people are playing the sport, but not as many are joining clubs as they used to,” Mr Wilkie said.

“They are great community hubs, it’s a matter of clubs encouraging local communities and figuring out what works.

“It’s a great sport that anyone can play, it’s important that we keep our presence.”

Mr Falkenmire said young people did share an interest in the sport, but only to a certain degree.

“We have more young people than ever playing barefoot bowls, but they’re not becoming serious bowlers,” Mr Falkenmire said.

“I’m not sure if another club will rise from the ashes, but this is it for the Toowong Bowls Club,” Mr Falkenmire said.