Social hub’s antisocial hours

COMMUNITY groups in Lennox Head are becoming increasingly worried about the future of the village’s ‘social hub’, the Lennox Head Bowls and Sports Club.

COMMUNITY groups in Lennox Head are becoming increasingly worried about the future of the village’s ‘social hub’, the Lennox Head Bowls and Sports Club.

At least seven organisations use the club for meetings and functions.

These include the Residents’ Association, Chamber of Commerce, View Club, Combined Sports Association, Probus Club, Lions Club and the Fishing Club.

But representatives of these groups, and from within the bowling community, believe that recent changes to opening times – the club is now closed until midday – could be a sign of worse things to come.

The Lennox Head Residents’ Association formed a sub-committee which last week approached the club with a list of questions.

That sub-committee will today meet Noel Neate, who is the chief executive of the Lennox club’s parent club, the Ramsgate RSL.

Convenor of the sub-committee, Judy Smith, said she hoped a solution could be found.

“It’s a great mystery why they have changed the opening times,” she said.

“There is a lot of anger and disquiet amongst member of various community groups.

“We need answers.

“This club is the heart of our community. It’s the only place in town for our groups.

“The club used to be a great supporter of us.

“They would bend over backwards to help, so it seems very strange that this is happening now.

“And no one knew about it. No one was told. It seems to have been done in a very arrogant manner.”

David Clarke, from the Lennox Head Bowls and Sports Club, confirmed the club had changed its opening hours.

He said Mr Neate was looking forward to meeting members of their community and hearing their concerns.

“There is a delegation coming from Ramsgate to resolve some of the community concerns,” Mr Clarke said.

“We’ve changed the times for operational reasons.

“The concerns seem to be related to that.”

The Lennox Head Bowls and Sports Club is situated on land owned by Ballina Shire Council.

General manager Paul Hickey said it was classified as ‘community owned land’.

Originally published as Social hub’s antisocial hours