A BOWLING club facing financial troubles has confirmed that it is considering selling its clubhouse, with Preston Lodge Rugby Club a likely buyer.
While Prestongrange Bowling Club plans to remain open, retaining its green and other on-site buildings such as the changing rooms, the sale would see the club lose its hall, a long-standing bar and venue for club and community events.
A spokesman for Prestongrange Bowling Club confirmed that the club was still in discussion with lawyers over the proposed sale and was unable to comment at this time.
Johnston Craig, vice-president of Preston Lodge RFC, confirmed that the purchase was an option the club had decided to pursue.
He told the Courier that Preston Lodge had identified the clubhouse as a potential home for a proposed strength and conditioning facility for players, after other alternatives, such as creating a purpose-built room at the club's Pennypit home, proved impossible due to old mining works which would have made the cost prohibitive.
"Since then we've been on the lookout for that type of premises in the area, but not many come up," he said.
"A strength and conditioning facility is something that most clubs have. Fitness is very important to modern rugby players and it would mean that if players are injured we could supervise their rehabilitation.
"The building has a function hall and in the future we could use it as a clubhouse. Although we are happy with the facilities we currently have at the Gothenburg, it does give us lots of options for the future."
He added that, while the club would look to fund the purchase itself, once it has a base it could apply for grants for equipment costs.
Ward councillor Peter MacKenzie (SNP) welcomed the possibility as a good solution for both clubs.
He said: "I fully support [Preston Lodge] in their bid to buy the hall. I'm aware that they have been looking to create conditioning and fitness rooms for quite a while and it is good they have at last found somewhere.
"The bowling club should now be able to get their finances in order and I wish them well, as they have gone through a difficult financial period."
He added that he believed the sale would mean that the bowling club could remain operational without significant council funding.
Council leader and ward member Willie Innes (Lab) had previously floated the possibility of East Lothian Council purchasing the bowling club, providing a financial lifeline as the club faced the threat of closure, but this option was not included in the council's 2013 budget, presented on Tuesday.
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