Thank you to everyone who completed our survey or attended a workshop to share their ideas for the future of the former Workingmen’s Bowling Club. You can check out a summary of the responses we received here or in the Documents section.

Further updates on this project can be found on the Owen Street park redevelopment project page.

The Workingmen's Bowling Club was established in 1947 at 177 Owen Street, leasing the land from the Council. The buildings and bowling greens were constructed by club volunteers. In 2021 the club closed, and the buildings and greens reverted to the Council.

In 2022 the Council agreed to allocate $1.5m to either remove, upgrade, or develop the building and grounds for ongoing community use. We would like to hear your views to make sure the future of the site meets the needs of Newtown.

The former bowling club site is a flat space measuring approximately 4000m2. An aerial image of the site is included below, highlighted in pink:

• 117 Owen Street is part of the Wellington Town Belt, a unique area of green and open space protected by legislation for Wellingtonians to enjoy.
• The Town Belt combines sportsgrounds, trails, bush, and play areas wrapped around the city, and is a valuable space for residents of the inner city and central suburbs to get active and enjoy time outdoors.
• We must follow the Wellington Town Belt Act 2016 in developing a plan for this site. These rules mean that the land must be used for public recreation purposes. Examples of public recreation may include:
  • Picnics & family gatherings
  • Organised sport
  • Events
  • Informal games & play
  • Gardening and growing kai is a permitted recreational activity on Town Belt land; however, garden produce must be returned to the community (not for sale) and allotments must be open for community use (no private allotments).

Please visit:

• Wellington Town Belt Act 2016
• Wellington Town Belt Management Plan 2018 chapter 6 and chapter 9

If you have any questions about the Wellington Town Belt rules, please get in touch.

The Town Belt rules mean that buildings, including the existing bowling clubrooms, are permitted where they are necessary for public recreation.

Buildings intended for non-recreational activities are not permitted on Town Belt - this includes community centres, housing, schools, childcare centres and Plunket rooms.

Upgrading the existing bowling clubrooms will only happen if it is feasible and required to support public recreation activity on the site.

If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact Annelise Bos at workingmensclub@wcc.govt.nz or phone 04 499 4444.