Lions to sell - GTTA agree deal

AS LONG as the courts agree the Guernsey Table Tennis Association are to move lock, stock and barrel into the Guernsey Bowls Stadium. Guernsey Stadium Ltd, the owners, have verbally accepted the GTTA's £400,000 offer to buy rinks one to four and come the start of the next table tennis season all 180-plus members of the GTTA will be housed under one roof at Hougue du Pommier.

Crucial to the move is the proposed sale of Lions' headquarters at Maurepas Road, said GTTA president Derek Webb.

'There is a likelihood that this wouldn't have happened if Lions had not come on board. It is great that they have,' added Webb.

'As far as I'm concerned the GTTA is thrilled to bits with Lions TTC. We can't thank them enough.'

Under the conditions of sale the entire GTTA membership will have to become social members at the Guernsey Bowls Stadium which itself could soon have new owners.

It is understood that GIBA Holdings' proposed buy-out is going well and more than 90% of the Guernsey Stadium Ltd shares have been accrued.

Table tennis' move into Hougue du Pommier is a marriage made in heaven, agrees GIBA president Charlie Renouf.

'We are delighted to have table tennis on board. I think it is great that two sports have come together like this.

'The rapport between us is superb - it couldn't have been better. From day one we have hit it off,' added the man who has overseen a remarkable change around in the GIBA finances since taking over as president two years ago.

Last year GIBA's annual accounts showed a deficit of £16,000. Twelve months on a profit of approaching £4,000 was made.

Central to that is a major cut-back in spending.

Eight years ago £60,000 went out in wages. Thanks to volunteer help it is down to £15,000 annually.

The new partnership with the GTTA will add further much-needed finances to the GIBA who, at the sport's peak, had 1,000 members.

In a world bowls climate where memberships have fallen everywhere, including Jersey which is reportedly struggling, the decline in Guernsey numbers has now been steadied.

Under the new partnership table tennis will have its own entrance, but use of the bar, toilets, lounge facilities and kitchens will be shared.

The building, however, will continue to be called the Guernsey Bowls Stadium.

Webb, who has done so much to raise the profile of table tennis, can scarcely believe his sport's fortune.

'Wen the facility is finished it will probably be the best table tennis facility in the British Isles.'