North Manly Bowling Club: Decision on future of abandoned site set to made
A vacant bowling club could be turned into a combined BMX, skateboarding, surf and snowboarding centre. It’s one of five ideas for the prominent Manly site which has sat empty since 2018.
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The future use of a once popular — but now abandoned — northern beaches’ bowling club is set to become clearer.
North Manly Bowling Club has been in mothballs since a shock decision to close its doors more than two years ago.
But now Northern Beaches Council, which owns the one-hectare site on the edge of Nolans Reserve, has confirmed it would soon invite expressions of interest from potential private partners operate a “suitable recreation use”.
The regeneration of the site is part of a plan by the council to turn the corner of Kentwell and Pittwater roads into a sporting and community hub.
The Manly Daily reported in August last year that the council has a wishlist of prospective activities that could be accommodated on the site including a combined BMX, skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding facility.
Other suggestions for the space include tennis courts, small-sided synthetic soccer courts, indoor basketball or indoor gymnastics facilities.
Across the road are tennis and futsal courts, part of the Warringah Recreation Centre, where Warringah Golf Club is in talks with the council to build its new $6m community clubhouse.
The bowling club, which had been taken over by Manly Leagues Club, closed its doors in August 2018. Management said it did not want to renew the lease due to uncertainty over a council proposal — which did not eventuate — to allow private sporting facility developers to control the area.
Manly Ward councillor Pat Daley said that whatever activities end up on the bowling club site, they should be compatible with the proposed $6 million community golf clubhouse.
The two-storey club house would sit alongside some of the existing public sporting facilities.
As part of the council’s proposed agreement with the golf club, no poker machines are permitted, and non-golfers will be welcomed to the licensed club house.
“The council needs to support the courageous decision of the golf club to divest itself of poker machines and turn its new clubhouse into a community facility, by allowing compatible activities at the old bowling club site,” Cr Daley said.
“There should be family-orientated activities, incorporating seniors, that will become part of what will be a popular community hub.”
Council CEO Ray Brownlee said it received confirmation from the NSW Office of Local Government in late November that the proposed reuse of the vacant bowling club could go ahead.
Mr Brownlee confirmed that an Expression of Interest (EOI) would be released early this year for the short-listed uses for the site.
“No formal discussions have occurred with prospective partners about the future of the site. “Prospective partners will need to submit an EOI through the recognised process to be considered for the site.”
Mr Brownlee also confirmed that the council had agreed, in principle, for the golf club to build a new clubhouse on a portion of the Warringah Recreation Centre.
“This project is still progressing through site investigation to ensure the viability of the site for the proposed construction.
“Discussions with the club and stakeholders are ongoing.”
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