VOTE: Do you support Arun District Council selling off the bowling green and tennis courts at Swansea Gardens?

In the wake of the possible sale of Swansea Gardens, concerned members of the public, plus representatives from the town’s six bowling clubs, will meet with senior members of Arun District Council.

The session, on November 14, will discuss the proposals put forward by Arun’s consultants Colliers International in their draft strategy for leisure and cultural provision.

As part of the draft document it looks like the bowling green and tennis courts in Swansea Gardens are destined to be axed.

Bowlers would be expected to use the greens at Waterloo Square – where Arun says there is space.

The proposed sale of the green space has been met with strong 
opposition from bowlers and residents.

Instead of selling the site, which has been used for bowling and 
tennis for more than 60 years, bowlers assert Arun should be encouraging more people to use the facility with better advertising and improving signage.

They also claim trying to amalgamate six bowling clubs on to the greens at Waterloo Square would be impractical.

The draft strategy also proposes an all-weather perimeter path, a northern access and improved play area and cafe for West Park.

This would be funded by the £2m which is likely to be raised by selling the Swansea Gardens leisure site.

A new cafe and clubhouse could also be built in Waterloo Square.

All members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, particularly those who live close to Swansea Gardens.

Club members are also urged to go along as any changes would affect the future of bowling in the town.

The meeting will be chaired by Bognor Regis deputy town mayor Cllr Paul Wells.

Views will be 
presented by all sides, followed by an open debate on the subject.

The meeting, in Jeneses (the former United Reform Church) in Linden Road, will start at 6pm.

It will close at 8pm.

Decisions about how the strategy could be moved forward will not be taken by district 
council members before next January.

Have your say

Do you support Arun District Council selling off the bowling green and tennis courts at Swansea Gardens?

You can cast your vote by clicking on the poll at the top right of this story.

Alternatively, you can comment below or email [email protected].