The Werribee Bingo Association is struggling financially and may have to relocate from its premises at Pacific Werribee after the shopping centre’s multi-million dollar redevelopment resulted in unforeseen set backs for the business.
The association’s new directors, who are working hard to boost bingo patronage, say that since relocating to the front of the shopping centre, bingo players have had to compete for a small number of carparking spots also used by people using the Plaza Library and diners accessing the Urban Diner precinct or KFC.
Director Robert Szatkowski said that before the Pacific Werribee redevelopment, the centre’s previous location at the centre had more parking spaces closer to the venue.
He said the owners of Pacific Werribee had “bent over backwards” to accommodate the needs of the Werribee Bingo Association during the redevelopment and it was only with the benefit of hindsight that the parking problem was identified.
“The likelihood of us needing to leave is high,” he said.
The Werribee Bingo Association is run by 15 local sports clubs and community groups – including the City Raiders Softball Club, Laverton Softball Club and Werribee Lions – with revenue raised going back to the clubs.
But Mr Szatkowski said clubs had not received a cheque in the past three years.
“For the last three years, we’ve done pretty poorly,” he said.
“As a consequence many of the clubs who rely on revenue from this centre haven’t had that income stream coming through.”
The association, which also includes directors Scott Fitzgerald, Domenic Cichello and Geoff Vick, has been busy updating its systems, running bingo specials and hiring the space out for functions and corporate events in a bid to boost profitability at its current site.
