Wally Rayner, a former president of the Glebe Manor Lawn Bowling Club Limited, says the 1923 articles of incorporation of the club require the property’s return either to the Glebe Manor Presbyterian Church or to the City for a nominal sum if the company ceases to exist as a lawn bowling club. Rayner was president of the club in 1999. His assertions, and those of his wife Georgina, threw Wednesday night’s public meeting about the proposed sale of the land into a turmoil. According to the Rayners, every president of the club since it began has received a copy of the articles of incorporation and letters patent which specify the club may not be sold for profit. The couple said there should be a copy of this undertaking in City archives dating from dealings the municipality had with Glebe Manor Lawn Bowling 15 years ago. But it also seems likely that the Rayners contentions may be verified, or denied, at the Ontario Ministry of Government Services. Glebe Manor Presbyterian Church no longer exists however its records are probably extant. Most critically, the Rayners said that the current president, Phil Foubert, should make public the articles of incorporation which are said to be in his possession. Mr. Foubert is spearheading the scheme to sell the property for as much as $3 million to be used for the site of town homes. The meeting, which was called by Josh Matlow (Ward 22) also heard calls for an ad hoc “shareholders” meeting among members of the club. Many present at the Hodgson School gathering said they were active members of the club and wanted to have their say in what was happening. Mr. Matlow said he had only just learned of the information provided by the Rayners and intended to ask the city solicitor to investigate immediately.
