Bowlo legal battle begins as clubs invited to take over

THE Bangalow community has raised more than $10,000 in its legal fight to save the town’s beloved bowling club, as expressions of interest open for a possible amalgamation with another registered club.

The expression of interest (EOI) process opened on 14 July, with nearby clubs including Ballina’s Cherry Street Sports Club, Byron Bay Services Club and Club Byron among those that could potentially consider taking on the future operations of The Bowlo.

But some members of the community fear the process may be little more than a formality before the club’s land is sold for redevelopment if no suitable operator is found.

Sydney-based Norths Collective, which amalgamated with The Bowlo in 2022, issued the EOI notice through Clubs NSW seeking interest from registered clubs regarding a potential amalgamation.

The process allows registered clubs within a 50km radius to consider taking over the property and future operations of the venue.

Interested clubs have until 31 July to submit an expression of interest – a timeframe the Save Bangalow Bowlo group has described as unusually short.

The community group has engaged Sydney legal firm Watson Webb, which has written to Norths seeking answers about the closure of The Bowlo and the decision-making process that led to its shutdown.

The group alleges Norths breached several aspects of the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding, including failing to complete required repairs, upgrades and maintenance needed for building compliance, not meeting agreed financial commitments and closing the club within three years of the amalgamation.

Norths closed The Bowlo with little warning in October last year, citing ongoing financial losses and the deteriorating condition of the clubhouse.

The decision triggered widespread community anger and sparked the campaign to save the venue.

Locals previously raised more than $100,000 in a week to demonstrate that a viable plan could be developed to return the venue to community ownership.

But after the original objective was not achieved, the Save Bangalow Bowlo Committee refunded all donations in June, in line with its commitment to supporters.

Norths rejected an initial community buyback proposal based on the original 2022 stabilisation cost of about $680,000, instead seeking a figure closer to $2m to cover what it said were costs and losses associated with the venue.

The community subsequently rejected that proposal.

Clubs NSW is expected to play a central role in any future amalgamation discussions.

The peak industry body provides guidance and support to registered clubs navigating the legal and commercial complexities involved in mergers and amalgamations.

To donate to the GoFundMe campaign visit gofund.me/849d86928