MELVILLE Bowling Club has signed a new 21-year lease with Melville council, giving up its hotly-contested 50-year lease. 

This brings the club’s lease into line with other bowling clubs and sporting organisations across Melville. 

The club, which was founded in 1957, scored a unprecedented 50-year lease in 2020 after becoming a hot issue during the 2019 mayoral election, but the City’s administration was never a big fan.

Melville Bowling Club president Tim Cattle said the new lease would help open the door to support from the City, which would be crucial for future grants for redevelopment.

Under the 50-year lease, MCB was also entirely financially responsible for the premises and site on Canning Highway, but under the new lease signed on March 25 the City will now pick up costs such as maintenance and water rates.

• Mt Pleasant had two teams take out their penant divisions.

 “The new agreement frees the club up to pursue grant funding previously out of its reach because its capital was spent on maintenance,” Mr Cattle said in a joint release with the City.

Mr Cattle later told the Herald a few members had been “hesitant” about giving up the old lease, the committee had been unanimous it was in “the best interest for the club going forward”.

He wouldn’t be drawn on whether previous plans for a redevelopment of the site were still live, saying that while an upgrade was “very high on our agenda” all options were now “up for discussion”.

The underlying goal would be to “retain the identity of the Melville Bowling Club”, which he said was enjoying the best atmosphere he’d ever seen there.

“We provide an environment that is not a hotel environment,” he said.

“Without a doubt [MBC] plays a vital role in their community, quite frankly”.

Mr Cattle said members who were separated or widowed found community and connection within the club, while for many seniors it was a home away from home.

Meanwhile the Mt Pleasant Bowling Club has made a remarkable turnaround, winning first and second divisions of the Metropolitan Pennant Season, with division one now promoted to premier division for next season.

A small club compared to others, Mt Pleasant faced an uncertain future a couple of years ago, with Melville council ready to sell off its rinks for housing and amalgamate them with the Melville Bowling Club.

They were the only Club with two teams qualifying for finals.

by OLIVIA RISUCCI