Like the gorge, some hard decisions are going to need to be made as to whether a number of Manawatu bowling clubs remain open, or whether alternative options need to be considered.
There are still five clubs in Palmerston North - and while there is much posturing and talking round the subjects of club and facility rationalisation, nothing concrete has happened.
The figures for affiliated members at the end of last season showed the five city clubs had a combined membership of 335, but those five clubs were maintaining 13 greens - a ratio of 25 players per green.
That level of under-utilisation is clearly not sustainable. And whether it happens this year, next year or in five years time, there needs to be some serious soul-searching about the future of the game in the city.
There will of course be howls of protest from 'the old guard' at suggestions they get together with another club. However, the reality is that amalgamation is not the only solution. Two or three clubs operating from one facility is a realistic option and savings in administration, maintenance and greens upkeep would be dramatic.
Change must be made on a club's own terms and Johnston Park is a good example of this.
Eleven years ago the club was born out of the amalgamation of the Feilding and Oroua clubs. And while success wasn’t instant, increased membership and sound finances were an immediate result. Today, less than one third of the membership comes from the two clubs that amalgamated. The club is now dominated by the two-thirds who have no attachment to the history of its inception.
The membership of Johnston Park has increased three years on end, the playing strength at centre level has never been stronger in both genders, and there is an ambitious project underway to construct an artificial green. Those successes trace directly back to the decision to amalgamate 11 years ago.
The clubs with the courage to grab the bull by the horns will be the survivors and the successful. The corollary is that inaction will be a death sentence.
It is a different story for country clubs that have carved themselves a niche as a community facility.
Himatangi Beach has some real strengths and they have made their tournaments unique. Foxton and Beach have welcomed the regular visitors to the motor camp next door as members, and created a social hub. Woodville has long encouraged social bowls and Ashhurst has one of the best greens in the centre.
It is not to say that all is well in the country. Dannevirke battles for numbers. Shannon and Pahiatua struggle similarly - yet Bulls and Kimbolton seem to steadily succeed in their own unique ways.
Mention needs also be made of the Centre’s administration - it has not been an easy year for President Vern Sixtus and Centre Manager David Gibb. Three members have resigned mid-season, the latest being Vice-President and Women’s Selector Lyn Elphick.
A matter that hamstrings the board in attracting the best people is the antiquated system where only delegates from clubs can be elected to the board. It is a ridiculous situation, and excludes some capable people who might otherwise be valuable administrators. Delegates are appointed by clubs to look after the club’s interests - not to make themselves available for centre duties.
People also avoid being on the board as they end up running tournaments - when their principal interest is playing. Instead, when a club is allocated a tournament, it should supply a tournament controller. After all, centre events are good money spinners for clubs and that extra duty can greatly relieve the burden on board members.
The centre board needs to be able to do what it is elected to do - develop strategies for the future and not be weighed down with the day-to-day running of the game.
