223 Andersons Bay Road [DCC webmap – click to enlarge]
Dunedin City Council loves PROFESSIONAL RUGBY more.
The Council wants to sell 223 Andersons Bay Road. The property is leased to the Caledonian Bowling Club; the 20-year lease expired in 2012 and has been renewed annually since. “The 2013 accounts of the bowling club would be the envy of most social and sporting clubs in Dunedin.” (Harry Love)
Here’s the collide with Forsyth Barr Stadium and dire opportunity cost. South Dunedin loses again. Venal thinking on the part of the Council.
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Supplied. ODT 6.8.14 (page 25)
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The Caledonian Bowling Club and its associated social hub should not be a casualty of the Dunedin City Council’s squeeze on debt, writes Harry Love, of Dunedin.
### ODT Online Wed, 16 Jul 2014
Opinion
Community institution feels the pinch
By Harry Love
There is a fat bird in the Dunedin City Council nest that swallows most of the food and, no doubt quite unaware that it does so, pushes some of the smaller, skinnier chicks out altogether. […] The question, like all political questions, is one of priorities. I propose, then, to describe the impending demise of one victim of the newcomer’s voracity and to raise some questions about the priorities the DCC, as guardians of the nest, might consider. […] Firstly, the DCC is burdened with large debt, a fair proportion of which is attributable to the Forsyth Barr Stadium and which it is commendably searching for ways to reduce. Secondly, while there is no direct or formal link between stadium costs, as such, and individual victims of the DCC’s need to retire debt, it is indisputable that, in the fiscal space available, small and apparently unimportant entities are pushed out by the big one.
Read more
█ More comments including news and video at Rugby stadiums not filling #SkyTV (from 16 July).
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
### ODT Online Fri, 19 Dec 2014
Sadness as last end bowled at club
By Steve Hepburn and Debbie Porteous
The skull and bones flies high above the Caledonian Bowling Club, reflecting the sentiments of those below who feel they have been pillaged by the pirates. Ransacked and robbed by the Dunedin City Council, they say. The 135-year-old club in Andersons Bay Rd had its last monthly tournament at its green in South Dunedin yesterday. It goes out of existence at the end of next month.
Read more
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That would be on the Bidrose watch of no return.
Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Bowling Club Site for Sale
This item was published on 20 Apr 2015
The Caledonian Bowling Club site in Andersons Bay Road is now formally for sale. Dunedin City Council Manager City Property Kevin Taylor says the 2565m2 site is being sold as is, with the now vacated bowling club buildings still in place.
As well as marketing the property through national print media, City Property will also advertise the property online to widen its exposure. The decision to sell the Caledonian Bowling Club site was made last year after a period of public consultation. Over the years the number of active bowlers in the club had fallen, leaving its main focus as a social venue.
The DCC decided that because it is a high-value site, its retention as a largely social venue could not be justified, especially when revenue from the sale could be used to reduce debt and also be invested in other areas of community activity.
█ The property is on sale until 4pm on 14 May (unless sold prior).
Further details are available at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/bowlingclub.
Contact Kevin Taylor, Manager City Property on 03 477 4000.
DCC Link
From what I gather the numbers interested in bowling have been declining for years. The bowling green in Arthur St disappeared a few years ago, now replaced with a nice garden. Presumably there have been others around town. I remember there were some moves to attract young people, but maybe not enough are interested.
I know it is hard to see them go, but if there are not the numbers……? The same goes, with an ageing population, for schools. The primary school I went to in Melbourne is now long gone as the suburb gentrified. Only the memories, of those who went there, are left and in time the memories are gone. Now the site contains a bowling green! No doubt it will eventually be reused for something else. It’s sad but, once again, we can’t keep schools which are half empty or worse.
We are increasingly having to pay for advanced elderly care, not alone pensions.
By the pricking of my thumbs … “the sale will be handled by City Property by way of a deadline private treaty” conjured a TOTALLY improbable vision of one of those deals about which we can be told nothing. Confidential. Commercial sensitivity. Terms of contract agreed to by both parties. Best price, worst price, mates’ rates price?
Mushroom farmers rule – OK?
Nah, it’s not going to be like that.
The real reason for the sale of the bowling club land, and the closing of some of the library services is to help fund the great white elephant. That must be kept alive at any cost.
No argument against that likelihood, Simon. Not just all about cutting debt. When did anyone hear of specific cost cutting measures by DVML at the stadium? Give us a list, DVML. Maybe the ODT could follow this up….or maybe not.
And DVML won’t even stoop to paid tours to see the roofed pitch… Maybe Terry Davies doesn’t want the public to see his cruisy days and largesse paid for by ratepayers!
### dunedintv.co.nz May 14, 2015 – 6:40pm
Significant interest in old Caledonian Bowling Club site
There’s significant interest from potential buyers in the old Caledonian Bowling Club site, being sold by the Dunedin City Council.
Video
Valuable social capital ignored.
### dunedintv.co.nz June 30, 2015 – 7:40pm
Former Caledonian Bowling Club sold
The site of the former Caledonian Bowling Club has been sold for more than a million dollars.
Video
### ODT Online Wed, 1 Jul 2015
Caledonian club site sold by DCC
By David Loughrey
The site of the former Caledonian Bowling Club has joined the site of the former Carisbrook ground, under the ownership of development company Calder Stewart. The Dunedin City Council announced yesterday the site at 223 Andersons Bay Rd had been sold to the company for $1.18 million.
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