BOWLERS in Stafford are celebrating after a deal was struck to give them access to toilets at the town’s Riverway greens.
Built six years ago, the greens have never been used because of the lack of facilities, including benches.
Previous attempts to use facilities at the nearby cricket club foundered because the club would have had to employ some- one and pass the cost on to bowlers.
A new arrangement with Stafford Town Football Club will see each bowling team given a key to access the club’s toilets.
The deal was brokered by Councillor Frank James who is a member of the Post Office bowling team and a director at the football club.
Three teams have already committed to playing there this season, which started yesterday and members believe more will follow.
The issue came to a head earlier this year when Stafford Borough Council closed its Corporation Street green with- out warning.
Bowlers were upset because they had not been consulted and the council said it planned to move its portable toilet block from Corporation Street to Riverway so they could finally be used.
Councillor James said: “There will be three teams bowling there this summer two from Phoenix and one from the Post Office.
“There’s a golden opportunity for the football club and the bowling fraternity to get together and set up a very good sport- ing complex.”
Anne Mace, captain of the Phoenix team, said: “I know the toilet is a big issue
but they have solved that. There’s smash- ing parking and the greens are lovely.
“I’m looking towards a good season and future on the new greens and I think it will be occupied more in the years to come. It will make a nice little sports area for the different sports of Stafford.”
Councillor Mike Smith, the borough council’s leisure portfolio holder, said: “We have worked hard to reach an agree- ment that will satisfy the users of the Cor- poration Street greens.
“ I had a very constructive meeting with representatives of several clubs at Stafford Town FC where it was agreed that they will now use the excellent greens at Riverway and the facilities of Stafford Town FC which are only yards from the green.
“I believe this is a commonsense agree- ment that satisfies everyone and makes good use of the previously under-used Riverway bowling greens.”
