Last week we published a document titled “Community Project Lost Forever.” Following is a response to that publication and we again urge you to read the article and take action. We believe that the decision to be made by the Bowling Club is an important one for the Piha Community, and the Bowling Club members need to know what the community is thinking.
The Piha Bowling Club committee feels the need to respond to the unsigned and spurious document which has been circulated in the Piha community on a green sheet of paper regarding “COMMUNITY PROJECT LOST FOREVER”.
That the writer does not have the courage to put a name to this document says a lot and it is in this tone that the document is written.
We wish to respond to this handout.
- The Piha Bowling Club building is owned by the members of the club, not the community and it is they who will vote on its future.
- The Bowling Club members agreed to a feasibility report on co-location. It then agreed to progress further wanting more detailed information from the feasibility report. This was not to be a mandate to go ahead and build a new building.
- The Bowling Club felt bullied and ill informed about the entire process. Members were not informed of the enormity nor the finality of the proposal and they asked, at a meeting, to put everything on hold and to get our own independent expert reports on the condition of the Bowling Club and cost of repairs and maintenance.
- We have had independent reports from experts who have all told us that the building is NOT condemned and needs about $180-$200,000 in repairs to bring it up to current standards for an existing building, including earthquake compliance. This can be done over of a period of 5-10 years.
- The cost to build a new concrete and glass building over by the tennis courts is estimated to be about $1.5million. Some money may come from grants, but this community would struggle to fund raise such large amounts.
- Those who love the Bowling Club rooms and want to save the building, are a growing number of members – and a large number of non-members in the community who have offered support and a desire to save it.
- Loyal locals actually enjoy the charm of the local clubs and may not support a modern concrete and glass establishment. These locals are the bread and butter of businesses in Piha and it is they who enjoy what we have to offer. Many visitors from NZ and overseas who eat at the Bowling Club love the quaintness of the building.
- The Bowling Club has 67 full playing members and some 178 social members bringing it to a total of some 245 members.
- Members are concerned that the bowling greens will not be protected from the weather in the same way that they are now by the club rooms. This is why the building was placed where it is today. No manner of planting or fencing will protect as much as the present club rooms do.
- The Bowling Club was built by locals back in the 1950s and is a piece of Piha’s heritage. The Bowling Club members appreciate the charm of the building, but acknowledge there needs to be some maintenance and many members are stepping up to help with this and we hope more will do so to assist us. Grants will support this as well.
- Our Bowling Club caters very well for many of these events and has advanced bookings already.
- There are already centres for civil emergency situations in Piha.
- The Bowling Club has always been very open about the situation and had meetings, not only for its members, but for the community to have a say and to step up to help.
- The Piha Bowling Club committee is NOT a “vocal minority”. They were voted in by members to get everything back to a level playing ground again, which is what they are doing at present.
- Once again we refute the comment that “the Bowling Club is in a shocking state of repair”. It does need some repairs and decorating, but that is achievable. Once members have decided what they want to do, and if it is to repair, we will be able to apply for grants ourselves to assist us. We have been advised that we can repair and maintain as long as we don’t make major additions.
- Yes, the Bowling Club is struggling to fund its operation, which club isn’t in NZ, but we are in the process of sorting out the kitchen to attract people and we will smarten things up in the toilets etc with the support of members and the community.
We, the Piha Bowling Club Committee, hope you are now better informed and have a broader understanding of our thoughts on why we have postponed a decision. Members of the Piha Bowling Club will make their ideas heard and vote at the AGM in June. We will not be bullied or hurried into such an enormous decision. There is no fear that we will not get future grants. We are not afraid of the future of our club with your support.
ACT NOW! MEMBERS….HAVE YOUR SAY AT OUR AGM…
Piha Community – please support us
Feel free to email at pihabowls@gmail.com