ANGRY Port Fairy Bowls Club members will vote on Wednesday night as to whether they take the fight up to Moyne Shire Council over its insistence they fund and build a $208,000 public-use car park as part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment of their clubrooms.
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The club was awarded $2 million from the state government for the redevelopment of its clubrooms but club president Bob Mallett said the council had now told the club it needed to build a new car park at its own expense.
Mr Mallett said the 54-space car park would cost $208,000 and would be open to not just club members and visitors, but also the general public.
“A condition of the funding was that the $2 million would be spent entirely on the building,” Mr Mallett said.
“We would be prepared to make a contribution to a car park but we think council should pay the majority of the cost, given it will be used as a public car park for the whole of Port Fairy.
“We will ask our members if they want to accept what the council wants and we pay or whether we fight and push for council to pay.
“This has already been a long process and a condition of the funding is that works have to start by October this year.”
The redevelopment will include an upgrade of key facilities in the clubrooms including toilets, kitchen, office, bar and storage spaces.
Mr Mallett said all improvements made to the club facilities in recent times have been done by volunteers and paid for by the club.
He called for council to help the redevelopment project, not hinder it.
“Council should be embracing the whole idea, not making it more difficult,” he said.
“We have a passionate membership and we just want to improve the facility so they can get maximum enjoyment out of it.
“The club is a great asset for the town, over summer we have had groups of campers coming down for a bowl and drink, it adds something to the whole town.”
Wednesday night’s meeting will be held at the Port Fairy Bowls Club at 7pm.
A spokesman for Moyne council said the building permit triggered the need for a car park and additional drainage. This is consistent for any building in that area.
“Our planning team have reiterated that it is the size of the project that requires the work,” he said.
“Following meetings with the club where the costs were discussed, we have provided options to the club, one of which is to request assistance from council for the car park construction.”
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