The City of Canning voted to demolish the Canning Bowling Club building six votes to four at last week’s council meeting.
The club’s fate had been up in the air since last month when it was given 30 days to prove its financial viability or else it would be asked to vacate the premises.
The last warning was given after years of financial woes at the club and concerns the 49-year-old clubhouse had exceeded its lifespan.
At the meeting on March 21, club president Linda Landers requested a five year lease extension.
The club claimed it had increased membership numbers and had improved its financial position.
At the meeting it was said the club managed to raise money on-selling alcohol, which had been donated.
Councillor Jesse Jacobs said the club should be given the benefit of the doubt and be allowed to continue operating.
“Is it not in (local) interests to champion local clubs?” he said.
“It would be un-Australian to demolish this club.”
Councillor Christine Cunningham and deputy mayor Lindsay Holland said they opposed demolition.
The club had been allowed to remain at the clubhouse on a month-by-month basis since 2015.
Before the council’s last warning it had only 59 registered members but fees were dropped to increase membership interest.
Councillor Ben Kunze said the bowling club was too small to warrant continued support from the council.
“We have community groups across Canning that need investment,” he said.
“Governments can only allocate so much funding, we can’t just keep saying ‘yes, yes, yes’.
“To invest funds tonight would mean we can’t invest in Queens Park, we can’t invest in the Beeliar Ward.”
The final vote was passed six votes to four.
Councillors Brown, Cunningham, Holland and Jacobs opposed the motion.
