Bangalow Bowling Club — also known as The Bowlo Bangalow — is the club that time forgot.
Hidden in the hinterland of Byron Bay, the lowset building, roofed in corrugated iron, is a bucolic sight, with its 1960s powder room, community hall and honour boards.
But time has never stood still in the popular Byron Shire and this weekend about 2,000 members of the 112-year old club will vote on a controversial takeover offer from club management specialist Norths Collective, part of North Sydney Leagues Club.
Critics of the plan fear members could give the club away for a song, lose local control and begin aligning with the gambling industry.
But those in favour believe there is no choice after disappointing period of trading marred by COVID shutdowns, floods and a long history of financial woes.
Leaders eye supportive deal
Bangalow Bowling Club president Atosha Clancy said the takeover was a lifeline for the embattled business.
"We get an injection of $3.5 million in capital over the next 10 years — that's guaranteed," she said.
"We get to look after the building, we get all the back office support and sponsorship for our sporting clubs.
"Once it's approved, all the assets and liabilities, including the ownership of the land, go over to Norths Collective."
Ms Clancy said the Norths Collective had a similar structure to the Bangalow club, but admitted the power of local members would be diluted because they would be part of a "much bigger club".
Locals can take responsibility
However, club member Adam Susz said the venue should remain in local hands.
He said the town's population had grown by more than a third over the last five years, and the wave of new locals had the ability to look after the bowlo for the next 112 years.
"We have a detailed plan, we have a team with the skills and the expertise to carry it out," Mr Susz said.
"But we believe the [current] board is afraid that our plan will succeed."
Alternative plan put forward
Bitterness has tainted discussions at the Bangalow Bowling Club.
Byron Shire councillor and bowling club member Asren Pugh asked to hold an information session at the club to discuss an alternative plan but was refused.
"It's not really an amalgamation," he said.
"The Bangalow Bowlo would cease to exist as an entity and be controlled by North Sydney Leagues Club. They would make all of the decisions for the next 112 years.
"North Sydney Leagues Club is a gambling powerhouse, they want to put more pokies into Bangalow."
Cr Pugh said the proposal would mean 15 per cent of the club's revenue would come from poker machines.
He is part of the group Keep the Bowlo Local, which has put forward an alternative.
"What we are asking for is 12 months — give us 12 months to see if our plan can work," Cr Pugh said.
"Another club said no to amalgamation with Norths and just signed over the management to North Sydney Leagues Club, so the community kept the asset but Norths came in and ran the club."
But general manager Chris Watson said the club desperately needed an injection of capital.
"COVID and floods, this is why we are at this point and at the start of the year our accountant said you need to look at alternatives to get this club going," he said.
Registration opens at 10am and the vote will be held at 11am on Sunday at Bangalow Bowls Club, 21 Byron Bay Rd, Bangalow.
