Workers from Southern Insulation Dunedin were removing roofing from the buildings yesterday, and it is understood they will soon be demolished.
The firm’s internet site says the company deals with asbestos materials and other aspects of insulation.
Workers on site yesterday were wearing full face masks and protective suits, and roofing and other materials were being carefully removed.
Asked about the project, being undertaken for development firm Calder Stewart, a Southern Insulation staff member referred comment to Calder Stewart.
No comment on the project was immediately available from Calder Stewart yesterday.
DCC officials said the 2565sq m site had been sold as is, with the vacated bowling club buildings still in place.
The sale followed controversy in 2014 when the council announced it would end the bowling club’s lease and sell the land to help pay down debt.
The 135-year-old club fought the sale but later had no choice but to wind up. It played its last tournament at the premises in December 2014 and went out of existence in January last year. Its lease had expired in 2012. Former club president Mike Fitzgerald said he was "sad" to see the roof come off the complex yesterday, but "we’re better off where we are now".
More than half the club’s about 30 members had switched to the St Kilda Bowling Club, and others had moved to other clubs.
There had been a "great" welcoming response from St Kilda members, and he was now a committee member and tournament secretary at that club, he said.
