AS the newly named Cannington Districts Bowling and Recreation Club rebuilds from a near-closure, the club have adopted a new phoenix mascot to mark its new start.
The rebranded and re-energised club hope its hard work to save the club from collapse will convince the City of Canning to grant them an annual lease option in place of its current month-to-month agreement.
Earlier this year the club was at breaking point, owing $40,000 to debtors and a further $100,000 to the Australian Tax Office.
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READ NOWClub President Linda Landers said the club had been crippled after former board members mismanaged books.
Since February, through appointing an accountant and diversifying the club to appeal to a wider demographic, Ms Landers said the club had risen from the ashes.
“We’ve made changes to our process, and a management accountant oversees what we do,” she said.
“Through the winter we paid every thing we needed to, met all our requirements and managed to save money in the bank.
“We are pretty chuffed, it’s a big turn around and there is still a way to go but we can see where we need to be.”
Ms Landers said a potential Men’s Shed and upgrades would continue to boost the club, but the month-to-month lease meant sponsors and grants schemes would not commit to the club.
“For a small club we have pulled it together pretty quickly, from February to now but we need the council to do the right thing and give us a lease,” she said.
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the club and Ms Landers hoped the momentum of the milestone would encourage club growth.
“There is organic growth and people coming from other clubs, as well as past members returning,” she said.
“A group of 18 asked to use us as a home base so we are growing, we have good morale and we hope for it to continue, but we need the security of a lease.”