CLUB’S
FUTURE – UPDATE
2008
Following
recent press speculation the rumour mill concerning the clubs future at
Crowtree went into overdrive, as a committee we felt it was right to
arrange a meeting with the council to try and clear up our position.
That
meeting took place on Tuesday 8th April, the clubs chairman,
treasurer and secretary represented the club while Paul Dobson and
Alison O’Neill represented the council.
As
a club we outlined our future plans for the club, for example the carpet
and underlay have been down for approximately 12½ years but they have a
guarantee of around 10 years therefore within 18 months we would have
been looking to change both but due to the uncertainty we don’t want
to commit to any major financial outlay, we would also look to improve
the facilities within the club e.g. the changing rooms, meeting rooms,
scoreboards, bar and catering area. The
council took on board our plans and agreed that as a club we needed to
know what the future held so we could plan accordingly.
It
was confirmed at the meeting that the council had offered Land
Securities the opportunity to submit plans to develop the Crowtree site
into the current Bridges development – this
is nothing new to us as it was reported in the Sunderland Echo -
however as yet Land Securities have NOT
rendered any plans to develop the site which is causing a frustrating
stalemate although it was hoped something would be submitted within the
next four to six months.
It
was also revealed that the council have given Land Securities the
following three briefs –
- To
cater for a bowls club in its current location
- To
cater for a bowls club within the new development but in a different
location
- To
cater for a bowls club in a location away from the development
Obviously
depending on the option
taken it was confirmed there maybe a break in service to the indoor
bowling fraternity but we were given assurances that as soon as there is
any news regarding plans etc we WILL
be involved in any planning process.
From
a club point of view it was a very positive meeting as it appears the
council are still very eager to see indoor bowls within the city centre
and the fact that bowls has never been mentioned in the recent press
speculation we are taking as a good sign unlike the ice rink and
swimming pool - we all can see what happened to those areas.
No
doubt when the swimming pool closes later this month and should in the
near future SAFC build their own indoor facility (they are currently on
a yearly rolling contract at Crowtree) their will be even more
speculation but it appears we are not under threat for at least two
years if at ALL.
So
for the foreseeable future it’s very much BUSINESS AS USUAL
R.Mckie
Hon
Sec
10th
April 2008
