Plans to triple the rent at a council-owned bowling club and pass on astronomical charges to members have been branded a “slap in the face” to the organisation.
Robertson Park Bowling Club’s rent will jump from £1,750 to £6,000 per year, Renfrewshire Council has said.
The Renfrew club will also be tasked with covering all other costs including maintaining the two greens, the latter of which would cost £1,200 per green.
Jim Coyle, secretary of the club, told the Paisley Daily Express the costs involved simply aren’t affordable for members.
He said: “Our lease was up in 2020 and we have been trying to negotiate with them ever since. We received their terms and conditions last month and they are putting up the rent to £6,000 per year.
“We also have to pay for all the electricity, water rates, and to look after all the greens and shrubbery. The costs of this would be astronomical to us.
“We would just about last a year if we had to accept this current proposal. After that it would signal the end for us.”
Set up in 2000, the Robertson club has invested heavily in the facilities, adding a £60,000 extension to the pavilion alongside a new kitchen, doors, windows and carpets.
The club also secured a grant to install a £17,000 sprinkler system for the greens.
“I reckon we have spent about £80,000 since we took it over in 2000 and another £50,000 on the greens, but they don’t seem interested in that,” Jim added.
“We are also a very active club so to see it go after all of that, it would be a slap in the face to us and Renfrew as a whole.”
The club’s plight has been taken on by Councillor John Gray and MSP Russell Findlay.
Renfrew North and Braehead councillor John said: “Robertson Park Bowling Club is a much loved club and community asset in Renfrew, but these eye-watering proposals from the council run the risk of losing it forever.
“I simply could not believe the increases the council were proposing to impose on the club.
“This club is hugely important for many people, including elderly residents and their mental wellbeing.
“I implore the council to think again and find a solution to support Robertson Park to fully function going forward.”
The bowling club aimed to negotiate a different set of proposals with the council, paying £2,250 a year and maintaining the basic upkeep of the club, as well as maintaining and replacing assets as when was appropriate.
However, this deal has now been outright rejected by the council.
Scottish Conservative West Scotland MSP Mr Findlay added: “The council’s actions have been a hammer blow for members of this well-run club which provides great enjoyment for people of all ages in the heart of the Renfrew community.
“To hit members with running costs that are completely unrealistic and unaffordable can only have one likely consequence - and that is to shut down the club for good.”
A spokesman for Renfrewshire Council said it cannot resume negotiations with the bowling club until a review of its properties is concluded. But he added the rent for most clubs is based on 15 per cent of the organisation’s turnover.
He said: “In setting these rents we have asked local bowling clubs to provide us with their annual accounts for a three-year period, so that we can make a realistic assessment of how much money they make.
“The rent is then based on 15 per cent of this turnover.
“Robertson Park Bowling Club hasn’t provided the information we asked for so the rent has been estimated based on the turnover achieved by other local bowling clubs.
“Over the past 20 years the rent paid by Robertson Park Bowling Club has risen by just £400 and what they pay is significantly less than other local bowling clubs.”
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