Warringah Bowling Club Pickleball Revival: Warringah Bowling Club, a 122-year-old venue in Mosman, Sydney, has entered administration despite plans to introduce pickleball to revive its fortunes. The club confirmed the decision on 8 August, just four months after hoping the new courts would secure its future.
The club, which began in 1903 and once had more than 1,100 members, had been struggling financially for years, recording losses of over $200,000 in the last two years. Management hoped that adding pickleball would bring in new members and income.
The Pickleball Plan
In March, Warringah Bowling Club proposed converting part of one bowling green into six pickleball courts under a 12-year licence agreement with Mosman Pickleball. The plan included artificial grass on two-thirds of the green, while still allowing bowls and other activities.
The other green would remain for bowls. Mosman Pickleball agreed to pay $90,000 annually for 1,053 square metres of space. At the time, the group had 450 members and a waiting list of 500 due to limited court space.
At a general meeting in April, 132 members voted in favour and 28 against. Club secretary Liarne Peek told Mosman Collective that the
“unanimous decision has likely secured the future of the historic ‘bowlo’.”
Projected Benefits
The club estimated that if each pickleball player became a member and bought food or drinks, revenue could increase by at least $200,000 in the first year. The new surface could also host events such as markets and family fun days.
Challenges and Opposition
Despite support, the plan faced opposition from some residents who raised concerns about noise and viewed pickleball as a passing trend. Rising costs, changes in social habits, smoking bans, and the effects of COVID-19 also made recovery harder.
The mixed reaction and the club’s long-standing financial problems meant that pickleball could not solve the deeper issues. The venue’s closure marks the end of an era for a historic community space.
News in Brief: Warringah Bowling Club Pickleball Revival
Warringah Bowling Club in Mosman, Sydney, has entered administration despite plans to introduce pickleball to boost income. The proposal faced community division and long-standing financial troubles. Even with projected revenue from Mosman Pickleball, rising costs and social changes made it impossible to save the 122-year-old club.