In a textbook case of Terrigal tenacity, the under-threat Terrigal Bowling Club has secured a 10-year lease extension and continued future as a beloved community hub.
Club Terrigal Bowls (CTB) is a stalwart community operation “where the locals come to eat, drink and play” and has been at the heart of the area’s social and recreational life for over 70 years.
Trouble began to brew three years ago, in 2021, when Central Coast Council (CCC) considered reclassifying the land on which the Club sits, placing the property on a list of “lazy assets” to sell as a cost-saving measure.
No communication was made with the Club.
When CTB learned of the impending sale, it championed a campaign to fight back, attracting members and the community to rally around a reversal of the decision. This prompted a change.org petition titled “Council Cash Grab Threatens 70 years of History”.
The public backlash swayed CCC administrator Dick Persson to pull the sale, within 24 hours.
“I regret my handling of the matter has caused widespread concern,” he said at the time.
Club members were overjoyed, such as long-timer Ron Court, who has lost his wife and bowling partner.
“Without this place, I’d go crazy,” he remarked.
Another veteran, since 1989, is fondly known as “Noisy” and notes the choices are limited.
“We’ve all been through so much together and there really isn’t much else in Terrigal specifically for seniors.”
The Club boasts members aged north of 90, and is vital for both the mental health and physical wellness of many of its charges. Member and Chairman of the Board Alex Cameron has been part of CTB “since my mum sent me down to get fish and chips” in the 1970s. He met his wife, Aileen, playing bowls and stresses how much the club means to him.
“Over the years, we’ve celebrated, mourned, and supported each other like family.
“It’s more than just a club; it’s a small country town within Terrigal, where everyone knows your name and has your back.
“This 10-year lease extension means the world to all of us.”
The last few years have been somewhat turbulent for the club, and the decision now for CCC to grant the new lease marks “a triumphant chapter” in the journey from the brink of closure to renewed vigour, which CTB says showcases the resilience and unity of the Terrigal community.
“This decision not only secures our future but also ends a period of great uncertainty for our members,” declares CEO and bowler Craig Fairweather.
“For years, our bowlers have faced the stress of short-term lease renewals, which cast doubt on the stability of our beloved club.”
In celebration of the lease extension, CTB is looking at installing the first children’s play area in Terrigal, for “our young families to come and enjoy” and invites all members of the community to “look forward to the next decade of memories and milestones” as it celebrates.
“Thanks to the Council’s support, we can now focus on growing and enhancing our community offerings without the looming worry of what next year might hold,” adds Fairweather.
