Bowls Queensland just made a call that confused the real estate market but saved a piece of Brisbane’s soul. They passed up a $7 million dollar check to sell the 97-year-old Coorparoo Bowls Club to Will Griffin of Griffin Hospitality Group for $6 million. The difference? Griffin agreed to keep the green alive. The higher bidder wasn’t.
For years, the club’s committee stared down the barrel of eviction, with demolition orders looming as early as May. The site, long threatened by plans for high-rise towers, is now locked in with a local investor who values the sport over the square footage of a condo complex. Griffin’s team plans to renovate the clubhouse, bar, and kitchen, aiming to modernize the venue without scrubbing away the character that has defined the neighborhood for a century.
The deal isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about keeping the game in play. Both existing greens remain, with one reserved for competitive matches and the other for casual local play. The committee that fought this battle is staying on, signing a five-year lease to keep steering the ship. They won’t just be community members watching from the sidelines; they’ll be the ones rolling the bowl.
The next phase involves Griffin Hospitality executing its renovation plans, a project designed to open the doors to families and visitors while keeping bowlers at the center. No grand opening date has been announced, but the immediate threat of the wrecking ball is gone. The club rolls on.