Canberra is set to lose another battle with public land, as the West Deakin Hellenic Bowling Club is sold to the developers next door to the site, with settlement occurring in September, according to club president Geoff McKay.
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The club has been operating since the late 1940s and has about 60 regular bowlers on its books, many of whom are now looking for an alternate venue.
The current lease runs out in 2015, following the Hellenic Club's purchase of the land in 2000, however bowlers will wrap up their competition in December, to enable them to join other clubs at the right time of the bowling calendar.
Mr McKay, who was a member of the Canberra Southern Cross Yamba Bowling Club prior to its closure in recent years, says it's important for people of his age group to have a sport. "We enjoy the comradeship and friendships that develop over the years. It helps keep them out of the hospitals, and it has other health benefits," Mr McKay said.
A possible alternative for the 60 or so members is the Forrest club, and although the added distance is something Mr McKay will take in his stride, it's not so easy for others.
"There is one chap in his 90s," Mr McKay said. "He's asked the bus driver that he's looking at going to Forrest Club, and the bus driver told him the closest he can drop him off is 700 metres away. He's prepared to walk the 700 metres to play bowls, and then back again!"
In 2011, an application was made to the ACT Planning and Land Authority to vary the Crown lease of the club to include residential and office buildings, however it was refused.
Expressions of interest were sought last year, in an advertisement that boasted of 15,570 metres of land, "zoned for commercial, residential or club use (subject to approval)".
