Bowls Queensland has remained silent on rumors it plans to sell Coorparoo Bowls Club, one of Brisbane’s few remaining non-pokies venues.
Bowles Queensland has repeatedly refused to comment on its plans for the site, despite pressure from all three tiers of government.
Local state MP Joe Kelly told ABC Radio Brisbane he understood Bowls Queensland was “very close” to striking a deal with the developer.
Mr Kelly and Coorparoo City Councilor Fiona Cunningham will lead a community rally at the bowls club on Sunday to protest the rumored sale.
Fiona Cunningham and Joe Kelly will lead Sunday’s rally. (Provided by: Fiona Cunningham)
He said the site was sold to Bowls Queensland in 2009 for $1 with the understanding that it would provide a venue for the community.
“This has always been a very well-used space, and people are very attached to it as a community space,” Kelly said.
“This is a successful club in every respect. It’s financially viable, it has so many players that you have to pick a team every week and it supports the local community.”
Loss of community space
Mr Kelly said since he was elected in 2015 he had seen half of the community bowls clubs in his Greenslopes constituency sold or closed.
Pokies-free Greenslopes Bowls Club is scheduled to close in 2022 and reopen as a service club with a large game room.
Fiona Cunningham said the council did not support the rumored sale. (Facebook: Fiona Cunningham)
Cr Cunningham said Bowles Queensland had not yet submitted a development application to council, but he understood plans were in the works.
Cr Cunningham said the bowls club had been a pillar of the community for 97 years.
“This has been a community hub for nearly 100 years.”
CR Cunningham said.
“We need a vibrant suburb where people can come together and enjoy a beer on a Sunday afternoon, and Coopaloo Bowls Club is the perfect place for that.”
Bowls Queensland declined ABC Radio Brisbane’s request for comment.
A Coopaloo Bowls Club member, who declined to be named, said the club had previously offered to pay more rent to secure the lease to Bowls Queensland.
They said members had received little response from Bowls Queensland over the past 12 months and this was a worrying sign.
“We were left completely in the dark.”
they said.
“Radio silence from Bowles, Queensland.”
Local federal lawmaker Lenny Coffey told parliament on Wednesday that the club’s future was in doubt.
“Despite the success of Coopaloo Bowls Club and everything the club has built, I am concerned to hear reports that its future is once again uncertain,” she said.
“I urge Bowls Queensland to work hard to ensure the club is supported to continue to play a central role in the community.”