PLANNING is underway for the York Recreation Centre to be reopened in time for this year’s York Show to be held on Saturday, September 7, along with a pending liquor licence, following moves by the York Bowling Club.

In the 2024-25 Shire of York budget council allocated $1.9 million overall towards the recreation centre with a specific contribution of $124,000 towards the first year of operating the bar and kitchen services.

“The York Bowling Club approached the shire and expressed an interest in operating the bar for the bowls club, football club, tennis club, cricket clubs and the general population of York when required,” York Bowling Club president Peter Thorpe said.

Currently the facility, which has not fully operated since December last year, can be used by sporting club members but there are no alcohol sales at all while the club awaits the outcome of a liquor licence application.

“The bowling club started having monthly meetings with the shire to discuss the progress. We now meet as required as we are fast approaching an outcome that will be both beneficial to both parties and the general population of the Shire of York,” Mr Thorpe said.

He said the shire has agreed to assist with the start-up costs and pay a monthly fee to assist with the operational costs of employing a bar manager for the first year, and then reassess the operational cost with the shire.

“The shire has a consultant working with both the shire, the York Bowling Club and and the Liquor Licencing branch to ensure that we achieve the best outcome for all concern,” Mr Thorpe said.

“The York Bowling Club felt that we needed to do something so that we did not lose the use of the facility and have to play our home pennant games at other clubs.

“The idea is to have the bowling club start the process and then move on to a model that has a management committee comprising members from all the clubs who will share the responsibility for the operation of the facility.”

The Shire of York reached a management agreement with Belgravia Leisure in November 2021.

Two years later Belgravia requested an early exit from the contract due to lack of profitability, which was concluded in December, with the return of management of the precinct and buildings to the shire.

In March, shire officers, 150Square business planning consultants and York sporting clubs worked on a club management proposal, and in June council supported the York Bowling Club’s proposal to run the bar and kitchen.

A shire spokesperson said the shire would work with York sporting clubs to transition to an overarching sporting association.

“We want to encourage the community to support local clubs and keep the service available to all participants,” a shire spokesperson said.

“The York Bowling Club will manage the bar and kitchen services, aiming to provide a community-focused service rather than competing directly with other local venues,” they said.

There will also be dedicated facility support with an additional cleaner and a club development officer providing onsite support and promoting club development.