'Efficiency saving': Gateshead bowling green and pavilion to be handed to community organisation
A Rowlands Gill bowling pavilion is set to be handed to a community organisation after being dubbed surplus to the council’s requirements.
Gateshead Council’s cabinet is expected to hand over a bowling pavilion and green to community organisation Tyne Valley Health and Wellbeing pending successful negotiations. If approved, the grounds will be the responsibility of the community for the next 35 years.
Tyne Valley Health and Wellbeing is a community interest company (CIC) specialising in projects boosting healthier lives. Projects range from pottery classes and walking groups, to community gardens.
The move follows a council policy from 2017 whereby the local authority sought to reduce the number of bowling greens. According to council documents: “The bowls pavilion in Derwent Park has not been used in connection with bowling for a number of years.”
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The report continued: “The option of retaining the property has been discounted as the maintenance of bowling greens has been identified as an efficiency saving.”
Similar plans are also proposed for the Clara Vale recreation grounds, including the cricket and football pitches and pavilion. The site has been under lease to Ryton and Crawcrook Albion FC since February 2024.
The club has since expressed an interest in taking over the site, and negotiations are underway for a 35-year lease. Again, the land has been classed as surplus to the council’s requirements, and too costly to justify.
Gateshead Council’s cabinet will meet on the morning of December 16 to consider and likely approve the next phase in transferring its former sporting facilities.