A BOWLS club, which is costing a community centre tens of thousands of pounds a year, is to be closed.

Members of the indoor bowls club at Park View Community Centre, in Chester-le-Street, were informed of the decision on Friday night.

It has come as a bitter blow to members, many of whom are elderly, and will have to travel to Stanley or Durham instead.

Bowls player Brian Fairless, 74, of South Pelaw, who goes to the club twice a week, said: “We go there for enjoyment, a little bit of sport and a little bit of activity to keep ourselves fit.

“It is relaxing and gets you out of the house meeting people and helps to keep you fit, which of course keeps down the cost of the NHS and other things.

“There is no way any of us can go very far away. We are not of a fitness to be doing outdoor bowling.”

A spokesman for the community centre said public sector support of the bowling club began to be cut in 2011 with its complete withdrawal in 2013.

Since then the facility has failed to break even with the latest audit showing a loss of £81,000.

As the season comes to a close in the middle of April, the 38mx20m bowling surface is also in need of refurbishment, work that could cost around £40,000, adding to the community centre’s financial burdens.

Instead, bowlers are being asked to use much better facilities at Durham or Stanley, which are less than five miles away and accessible by bus services.

Park View Community Centre chairman Bill Dennison said: “It is sad but in the current economic climate the centre was facing closure unless we did something to stop the losses and attract more funding.

“It is no longer cost-effective to clean, light, heat and staff the community centre for the relatively few people who use it during the day.”

Trustees of the community centre, which is part of Park View School site, said the decision was essential protect other services.

Efforts are being made to maintain a 250-seater theatre, performing arts studio, sports hall and floodlit outdoor facilities.

Negotiations are underway to attract a popular national fitness provider as the centre expands the variety of services and social events available to the public all year round.

Future plans included a community cinema, events such as a comic convention and party hire, as well as fitness programmes for all ages with their associated health and social benefits.

The community centre’s old bowling hall will be converted for multiple functions that would also enhance leisure provision in the community.

Mr Dennison said: “We are determined to keep the centre at the heart of the community and we would not be able to do this without a radical rethink on its best use.”