Melville Bowling Club.
Camera IconMelville Bowling Club. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Former Melville Bowling Club members take aim Alfred Cove Action Group

Aaron CorlettMelville Gazette

FORMER Melville Bowling Club (MBC) members have lashed out on the influence of the Alfred Cove Action Group (ACAG) on the club.

The Melville Times has been approached by multiple former members, who have left the club following frustrations with its direction.

The City of Melville wants to amalgamate the Melville and Mt Pleasant bowling clubs and move them to a new base at Tompkins Park, to be shared with other sports based there.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The land currently housing the Melville club could then, approvals pending, be used for the proposed $25 million wave park.

During a special meeting earlier this year, MBC members backed a motion to scrap its support until the Local Government Inquiry into the City has concluded and Supreme Court action into the proposed wave park was resolved.

A former club member, who did not want to be identified, said the ACAG had an “enormous impact” on the club and was the sole reason why the club was “in turmoil.”

“Their actions against the City of Melville have definitely delayed the Tompkins Park project and frustrated the bowlers and caused anxiety and stress,” they said.

“The club has lost over 25 bowlers with over 500 years bowling experience out the door.

“With that goes an enormous amount of administration and leadership, with that goes three life members.”

“Up until two months ago when (former president) Gary McCormack resigned, the club’s position was to keep working with the council, and negotiate to get the best possible outcome for the club.

“Since (current president Joe) Marciano has taken the reins that has changed for the worse, to being blatantly unhelpful.”

Mr Marciano said the figure of 25 bowlers leaving was “incorrect.”

“Our committee meeting on June 25 received seven resignations from members and admitted five new members,” he said.

“Melville Bowling Club will always be a bowling club.

“Its success is because of its ability to provide a suitable and economic mix of bowling and social activities.”

Mr Marciano said the ACAG did not have any influence on MBC decisions.

“The MBC’s decision not to relocate while the government inquiry into the council is finalised was passed by a majority of MBC members at a members meeting,” he said.

Mr Marciano said the club had a duty to ensure any changes to the club were economically viable and the information provided by the City was only verbal.

“Based on the information provided and an analysis by the City’s independent consultant, the proposed relocation and changes will make the club financially unsustainable and reliant on ongoing subsidies from the community to survive,” he said.

“In the current circumstances and without clarification, amendment and absolute detailed commitment by the City, relocating to premises that will damage the club is not in the best interests of the club or its members and cannot be supported.”