By Stephanie Hale
The Fremantle Bridge Club has been dealt a bad hand in trying to find a permanent location for its members.
In the last 15 years the club has moved three times and is now facing another relocation.
The Fremantle Bridge Clubs current home at the Freemasons Hall.
From the Fremantle Italian Club to the C3 Church and finally finding its current home in the Freemasons Hall in Fremantle, the club has struggled to find a stable residency.
The club’s lease is up at the Fremantle Masonic Hall and Dave Parham, a director at the club, believes the Freemasons may be looking to sell.
“The Masons were only prepared to give us a 5-year lease and because we believe they are considering selling the premises we need to look for somewhere else to base ourselves,” he said.
Mr Parham is frustrated by the club’s lack of control over its situation.
“Ever since I’ve been a member of the club we’ve always been at the beck and call of the landlord,” he said.
“We’ve never had security of tenure so what the club would really benefit from would be to find somewhere with a long-term future,” he added.
John Penman, the secretary of the club, is unsure where it will find its new home.
“We’re happy where we are now but it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to stay there, so we’ll need to put our feelers out and have a look around,” he said.
The move is not guaranteed yet, but it is unlikely the Freemasons will grant the club another lease.
“It’s not set in stone on either side,” said John.
“We’re possibly looking for another place but at this stage we’ve just had exploratory talks,” he added.
If the move goes ahead the club will be relocated by mid-2017, but members are keen to move at the first opportunity.