Indooroopilly Bowl Club members say liquidation is not the end of them

INDOOROOPILLY Bowls Club has closed its doors and forensic accountants are looking at the books. Yet loyal members say they have one last hope to ensure the club’s survival. What is it?

Greg Rolls upfront of fellow bowlers Mark McAleer, Ben Walsh and Warren Birks from Indooroopilly Bowls Club which has gone into liquidation but the members are determined to make a come back. Photo By Patria Jannides

THE Indooroopilly Bowls Club is banking on a “white knight” from the community to rescue the 78-year-old institution from extinction.

The club closed its doors on October 9 and Worrells Solvency and Forensic Accountants was appointed by the court as liquidators.

Bowls club spokesman Neil Mason said members were working hard to get the club out of the rough.

“What we are really looking for is some sort of white knight who would be able to help us recapitalise the club,” he said.

The club was sold to a development consortium in 2004 on condition it would build a new clubhouse and two greens in a corner of the site for the club.

Residential development would occupy the rest of the 13,000sqm space.

The greens, modern clubhouse, three bars and a bistro opened in 2009, but it would prove to be a false dawn.

“When the redevelopment opened, it was found that the cost structure was a bit more than the incoming revenue stream for essentially a new business so there was some debts that built up and we just haven't been able to pay them off,” Mr Mason said.

“We are, as members, working very hard to get the club reopened.”

“If there are any interested parties who may be able to assist, we’d love them to get in contact with us,” Mr Mason said.

The club was down but not out, he said. Members continued to bowl at Normanby.

“A lot of the bowlers are still getting together even if we are not allowed to use those particular grounds — that’s the enthusiasmmembers have for each other.”

Brisbane City Councillor Julian Simmonds (Walter Taylor) said the club was a much-loved institution.

“It is a loss not just for local residents who frequent the club but also surrounding community groups who use the facility for meetings and functions,” Cr Simmonds said.

“I will certainly be reaching out to them to find out what steps can be taken to help them get back on their feet,” he said.

Worrells partner Morgan Lane said the company was determining the club’s asset position and its options.

“The future of the club is being discussed and Worrells appreciates the ­community interest in this unique property for its continued use and enjoyment,” Mr Lane said in a statement.

Bowls Queensland president Doug Evans said bowls was a tremendous sport with wonderful heritage, culture and value.

“The issue that clubs are facing is demographics are changing around some of these suburbs,” Mr Evans said. “Different ethnic and age groups are coming in and as the membership ages, they struggle to attract new ­members.”

Mr Evans said the body was looking into aggregating clubs from a collective negotiation point of view and promoting the game.

“We want to promote the image and attributes of the game to widen it up to other people but most importantly we are getting heavily involved in providing operational, financial and development benefits to the clubs.”