Council Consults Bowling Clubs on Greens Amid Financial Challenges
Leeds Council will consult bowling clubs before making decisions on greens
Leeds, Bowling Clubs, Municipal Greens, Council, 2025 Summer Season
Leeds: The council is listening to the community about bowling greens. They’ve decided to keep all the greens open until the end of the 2025 summer season. This comes after a lot of feedback from local bowlers who were worried about potential closures.
Last week, the council kicked off a public consultation to discuss possible changes. They’re facing some serious financial challenges and need to figure out how to manage their resources better.
In West Leeds, there are several parks with bowling greens, like Armley Park and Bramley Park. The council knows that closing 30 greens would really shake things up for the bowling community.
People are especially concerned about how these changes might affect local leagues this year. A council spokesperson mentioned that they’re taking the feedback seriously and will have a two-part consultation process.
The first phase wraps up on January 26, but they’re planning a second phase for more in-depth talks with the bowling clubs. Some clubs are even interested in taking care of the greens themselves.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique emphasized the need for tough decisions due to the council’s financial situation. However, he also stressed the importance of giving people a chance to voice their opinions.
Leeds has 61 council-operated outdoor greens, which cost a pretty penny to maintain each year. Closing some could save money, but the council is also considering keeping all greens open with a possible increase in season ticket prices.
To join the conversation, folks can participate in the consultation. The greens that might close are spread across various sites in different council wards, so it’s a big deal for many communities.