A long-standing Suffolk bowls club needs to sell its 'fallow and unused' former ladies green for development to raise 'critical' funds to ensure its long-term survival.
Felixstowe and Suffolk Bowls Club has applied to East Suffolk Council for permission to redevelop the back green at its St Edmund's Road home as three homes.
READ MORE: Go-ahead for former club and bowls green to become new homes
In a letter with the plans, the club has warned that without at least £150,000 generated by the sale, the bowls club 'in entirety may have to go into liquidation within five or six years'.
Funds from the redevelopment of the green- the smaller of two greens at the club- will be used to pay for improvements to the main green and clubhouse to meet current health and safety standards, which are expected to cost £200,000 and potentially rise to £250,000.
The back green was used heavily from the 1950s to 1970s when women were not allowed to bowl on the main- or 'Gentleman's'- green, but subsequent gender equality changes mean all members can use both greens, resulting in declining use of the back green.
READ MORE: ‘Such a shame we had to close’: Bowls club shuts after more than 80 years
Although the back green was hired by another club for a period of time, the cost of maintenance became too high and it has not reopened since 2016.
Instead, the main green now accommodates all the club's bowling activities and has the capacity for more members.
In the letter, the club's treasurer Gary Cooper said the aim was for the club to remain 'a flourishing and successful sports and social facility in the area'.
READ MORE: Felixstowe news
He added: "We have however reached a period in time when a cash injection is a critical requirement to enable the club buildings and surroundings to be brought up to a high and modern standard which would include full facilities for the disabled and all members regardless of gender, age, race or ability.
"The sale of the smaller back green area for development would help in this endeavour and allow us to meet all foreseen requirements and retain this sports facility in Felixstowe well into the future."
A decision is yet to be made on the plans.
READ MORE: Suffolk news
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