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Adrian Pruss: ‘Without the sale, the club will close’ |
After more than a century of bowls, we can’t just jack it in
Mansfield Bowling Club has come under fire for its plan to sell land for new homes. Adrian Pruss explains why the development is essential to preserving its future existence
FOR more than 130 years bowls has been played at Mansfield Bowling Club. However, in recent times, the club has suffered an ageing and declining membership of both playing and social members.
This, together with increased operating costs, means that the club is facing its own credit crunch.
We have reduced costs to a minimum and even had to let our greenkeeper go; there are now no longer any expenses that can be reduced further and the increase in utility bills is alarming. The club is currently incurring substantial annual losses, which has depleted its reserves.
After exploring all the possible options, the directors reluctantly resolved that, to secure the club’s financial future, land would have to be sold.
The proposed development of nine tasteful and quality houses will enable the club to have a much-needed face-lift. As well as creating a sinking fund, the interest earned will enable the club to cover the annual recurring losses for the long term.
The refurbishment of the club will enable it to attract more social members and increase the occupancy of the function rooms, giving the much-needed revenues to continue renovation projects. The club will continue to push for more playing members and hopefully attract younger people.
Understandably, people adjoining the site are worried about the proposed development. However, the financial situation is such that without the land sale the club will probably have to close.
Despite rumours, this is not a scare story. There is no plan B, and, if planning permission is not granted, the club could become derelict, with no security cover as currently provided by the resident stewards, until the directors can resolve what to do with the whole site.
Unfortunately, some of the people who are complaining about the proposed development have never supported or visited the club.
People have told me that the club should increase its membership – over the years we have tried very hard to do this.
We need 200-plus new members to stem the losses and just break even.
This would not address the urgent works we need to do to comply with legislation.
Counter suggestions to the housing proposal, include: a health club; a gym; private nursing home; swimming pool, tennis courts and a kindergarten.
We have considered these and others, but no economic case could be made, nor joint venture partners to join in such a project.
When the club has tried to generate income by letting the function room for weddings, christenings, birthday parties etc, and letting the unused car park to film crews, it often receives complaints about noise, which seriously curtails our ability to hold such events.
Mansfield is a haven of peace and quiet and a valuable asset for the local community, albeit underused.
It provides both indoor and outdoor bowling greens, a tennis club, function rooms, two bars and a fully equipped kitchen.
We must also remember the club’s 100 or so loyal members whose love of bowling is coupled with the fact that for many the club is the centre of their social life. Mansfield is also host to many other bowling clubs that do not have an indoor green.
We look forward to explaining our development proposals in detail at the open meeting on Monday October 6 from 6.30pm onwards.
We would like to thank the many neighbours who have indicated their support for the club and we implore the local community to also support us so that Mansfield Bowling club can continue for another 100 years.
* There is a meeting for residents at St Mary’s Church Hall in York Rise on Sunday October 5, at 6.30pm to discuss the issues before the open meeting with the club the following day.
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