JohnJoin your local club and give it a go – that’s the message from members of Harehills Park Bowling Club after council chiefs gave under-threat clubs a lifeline until after the summer season.
As reported by ESS, 30 publicly-owned bowling greens in Leeds are at risk of closure. But the cash-strapped city council say the greens will now be maintained until the end of the 2025 summer season.
Previously, the local authority had proposed closing the facilities, which it said would save £140,000 a year and allow it to concentrate resources on the 31 remaining greens.
But on Tuesday, the council said all sites across Leeds would be maintained in 2025, following feedback from the first stage of a public consultation.
Although the long-term future of the sites in question remained uncertain, the council said it would now engage in “detailed discussions” with the city’s bowling clubs.
Those discussions would include clubs which had expressed an interest in taking over maintenance of the greens they used, a spokesperson said.
Hatehills Park Bowling Club had opposed the closures, and had branded the move ‘very short-sighted’.
They posted on social media: “This is a great result, but more importantly was the right thing to do! This consultation should never have been conducted the way that it has.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, portfolio holder for environment, said: “The council has been clear its financial situation means it needs to make difficult decisions, with staffing reductions, building closures and asset sales being explored across all service areas.
“We also recognise, though, that each and every one of these decisions must be taken in a way that gives people the best possible chance to have their voices heard.
“Since we began gathering views on the proposed changes to crown green bowling provision, players and clubs have told us they feel more time is needed for the plans to be considered.”
The 30 bowling greens earmarked for potential closure are spread across a total of 24 sites in 19 different council wards. The sites are Aberford Bowling Green, Acre Close Bowling Green, Allerton Bywater Sports Ground, Armley Park, Bramley Park, Chapel Allerton Park, Churwell Park, Cranmore Recreation Ground, Gildersome Park, Grove Hill Park, Halton Dean – Primrose Valley, Harehills Park, Holbeck Moor, Kippax Common (Green Lane), Micklefield Park, New Farnley Park, Roundhay Park, Tarnfield Park, Tyersal Park, Western Flatts Cliff Park, Westroyd Park, Whinmoor Park, Woodlesford Park and Woodside Recreation Ground.
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