Planned demolition of north shore bowling club sparks backlash
A council plan to knock down a north shore bowling club has taken a step forward as users of the site including fitness and dance instructors call for the building to be saved.
North Shore
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A council plan to demolish a 63-year-old north shore bowling club has sparked calls from existing users including yoga and dance instructors for the building to be saved.
Willoughby Council has released a $100,000 development application to knock down the former Artarmon Bowling Club as part of long-term plans to replace it with an outdoor pavilion and landscaping works.
The bowling club closed in 2015 however has continued to be used by community groups and business owners including a childcare operator, dance instructors and fitness groups.
The council — which bought the site in 2016 — said the new 400 sqm pavilion would provide “improved amenity” including barbecue facilities and an “enclosed community room” that could be hired for public use.
The council previously rejected an alternative plan to spend $1.5 million bringing the building up to scratch — a process that would have including removing “hazardous materials” including asbestos.
Submissions from residents have proved mixed, with objectors arguing the club had “significant historical significance” and would cater for the area’s rising population.
Operators of dance classes held at the site added the group had suffered declining membership after struggling to find an alternative venue for lessons in the local area.
Residents in support of the council’s plan said a pavilion would be a welcome addition to the surrounding parklands, with one homeowner adding it would encourage her teenage sons to “get outside away from electronic screens”.
Anna Greco, who ran fitness classes at the club since 2012, said the proposed pavilion would be inadequate due to the space required for her lessons.
She said the demolition was at odds with a petition signed by 700 residents who called for the building to be saved.
“The club was being used five mornings a week, evenings and no one in that building can use an outdoor pavilion,” she said.
“The club can still be used for community hire with an income flowing back to the council that could be used to maintain the building.
“The demolition makes no sense”.
The council has proposed to offset the loss of the club by increasing the number of hours two other community centres can be hired including the Artarmon Kids Cottage.
A council spokeswoman said the proposed demolition of the bowling club would be submitted to the Willoughby Local Planning Panel for approval.
“The nearby community facilities similar to the former bowling club are currently under-utilised so refurbishing the existing building would not meet the community’s needs,” the spokeswoman said.
“It’s also not cost effective as the building needs significant works to meet health and safety and accessibility requirements.”
“(The proposal) is considered the best option for community needs.”
The council said the cost of the new pavilion would be put to tender, however, was budgeted at approximately $850,000.