10:08am Thursday 18th September 2008
By Joe Ware
Westinghouse Bowls club will close on Saturday after 71 years because owners Westinghouse Rail Systems are forcing the clubhouse to shut.
The land on which the club sits, along with Westinghouse cricket club, was up for sale to housing developers.
However, due to the credit crunch and falling property prices owners Westinghouse Rail Systems gave the clubs an extra year on the site.
Now the company has told the bowls club it cannot use the clubhouse, which includes toilets and kitchen facilities, despite the club offering to cover all running costs.
Club captain and secretary, Stuart Allison, says the decision is mystifying.
He said: "It is strange they offered us use of the green but not the clubhouse.
"It is very annoying that the company couldn't give us a reason. They just said it was non negotiable.
"It is a terrible loss to the community of Chippenham."
Although bowlers could use the toilets in the cricket pavillion it would be a long walk around the cricket field for elderly players and would be disruptive in the middle of matches.
The members also rely on the clubhouse facilities for entertaining visiting teams.
Allison said: "The club relies on the use of the bar and having a place to prepare meals.
"Without these facilities it's not really a bowls club."
"The sad thing is it could be years before they get to actually build on the land."
Lucy Hayward from Westinghouse Rail Systems said: "The plan was to disband the club and sell the land for development.
"But as the land was not going to be built on during the season we agreed to let them play next season.
"But we are not going to change anything regarding the facilities."
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