A beloved Melbourne sports club has been hit with a significant rent increase, seeing its annual council rent soar from just $100 to nearly $60,000. The Fitzroy Victoria Bowling & Sports Club recently signed a new lease following the end of its 21-year “peppercorn” agreement with Yarra City Council.
Despite the steep hike, the club’s Vice President, Rodney Draper, assured members that this wouldn’t spell the end of the historic establishment. He pledged to work diligently to keep the club afloat.
The club, which leases Crown land from the council, began negotiations over the new lease last year. Draper admitted that while the increase was expected, the magnitude of the rise was still a blow.
“Any bowls club would be unhappy with the size of the increase, as we are,” Draper said. “It’s absolutely essential we afford $60,000 a year because this bowling club has been here since the mid-1800s. One way or another, we will find that money.”
Draper emphasized that the club has been preparing for this challenge for months, gradually coming to terms with what they are facing. “We won’t let this club fold. This is an important community club, and we need to ensure its future. One way or another, we will make it work,” he stated.
In light of the increased rent, the club will need to reassess its funding strategy, which may involve raising prices for alcohol and function spaces. “We are going to work hard on tightening things up in terms of what we are charging for the various function areas,” Draper added.
A Yarra City Council spokesperson explained that the new rental agreement with the bowling club was benchmarked against similar hospitality venues in the area and took into account the club’s for-profit operations.
