Council on the ball with bowls pavilion plans

September 15, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

Council on the ball with bowls pavilion plans

Tuesday 15th September 2015

An 84-year-old bowls club could get a new Southend headquarters if plans are agreed by the council’s cabinet (Tuesday 22nd September).

Councillors are considering a plea to help Southchurch Park Bowls Club build a brand new pavilion on the existing site.

Club members are seeking grant funding from Sport England to buy an off-the-shelf timber building to replace their existing pavilion which is as old as the club itself.

The council-owned pavilion is now in need of some repairs, estimated to cost around £20,000.

Instead of repairing it, the club has asked the council to consider demolishing the old building.

The costs are comparable for both but a new building would be operated under a lease agreement by the club and offer a more secure and sustainable future.

Councillors will consider allocating £20,000 to help get the new pavilion off the ground.

Executive Councillor for Enterprise, Tourism and Economic Development, Councillor Graham Longley said: “Southchurch Park is a major attraction in the town and has been awarded a prestigious Green Flag, so we need to make sure the facilities offered there are kept up to a high standard.

“We are very happy to work with Southchurch Bowls Club over its efforts to obtain a new pavilion.

“This new structure would improve the existing facilities and enable them to be used all year round by the club as well as the wider community.

“The Club has undertaken detailed research and taken advice about funding opportunities to help in this quest.

“We are obliged to repair the old building, but we feel it would be more beneficial to spend this sum on helping facilitate the new pavilion instead.

“The design of the building, the terms of the lease and other details will need to be discussed and agreed through the usual processes such as planning in due course.”