Amicable resolution for Dunkeld Bowls Club

The community at large had expressed widespread concern and consternation when it was announced that the City had awarded the tender of the property to Boston City Campus.

Residents felt that the tender process was opaque and argued that, under the new lessee, the bowls club would no longer be utilised as a sports and recreation facility for the community.

After a tense community meeting held with the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and the Boston Group in October last year, a steering committee was formed to represent the interests of the local residents in the area.

Although legal action was originally mooted, local residents and the Boston Group held discussions in December last year, facilitated by Ward 90 councillor, Anthony Still.

“Boston have considered their options and have decided that given that there was community unhappiness about it, they would concentrate elsewhere,” said Still.

An amicable agreement was reached whereby the Boston Group consented to withdraw from its lease with the Johannesburg Property Company.

Still stated that as a result, the JPC will re-tender the premises in March. “We [are confident] that it will be strictly a sports and recreation tender.”

Local resident Cathy Duff said, “The Dunkeld West community is extremely pleased that the [JPC] and Boston have listened to our concerns and responded. We view this as a very positive first step and will continue working towards our aim of utilising the bowling club space as a real community centre.”

Craig Stollard, financial director of the Boston Group, stated that the company agreed to withdraw from the lease to maintain a good relationship with the community.

“We are however now working well with the Melrose community to restore the Melrose [Bowls] Club. We already have a team of staff working on cleaning up the property and look forward to seeing great results in the near future,” said Stollard.