The meeting was called by a delegation of members who are concerned the club will be financially over-investing in the extension works that will remove one of the original heritage greens and replace it with alfresco gambling and dining space as well as upgrade the club’s street frontage. It is believed the club will borrow up to $5 million to complete the works.

The petition followed the resignation of three board members over an alleged conflict about when the proposed works should commence.

A club member, who did not wish to be named, is concerned about the club’s future direction. He said after some lively discussion at the meeting, the current board gave members a commitment not to sign or enter into any contract for the extension works until the next annual general meeting. The club’s AGM will be held in September where board positions become vacant. 

The spokesperson said it is hoped a newly elected board will consider members’ concerns in a review of the planned extension works.

“We prefer not to borrow such a significant amount in order to maintain the financial individuality of our club,” the spokesperson said, citing instances where other clubs across the state have fallen into financial difficulty after over borrowing. He said while it makes good business sense to refurbish the club, the focus of any upgrade should be about nurturing the club’s commitment to promoting the game of bowls and not chasing the gambling dollar.

The Owen Street club, with a history spanning 75 years, is one of only a handful of bowling clubs in New South Wales sporting four active greens enabling the facility to host local, state and interstate tournaments. 

It also considered to be one of the largest clubs in the state with a membership topping 500.

The board previously hosted an open forum with members to discuss the redevelopment plan, and according to the club member “was overwhelmingly rejected by those attending”.

The club’s CEO Russell Stockham and chairman of the board Reg Lucas declined to comment.