An historic vote was taken at the club's Warrendine Street headquarters on Tuesday night.

OCBC secretary manager Neil Southombe said of the 219 members present just 76 were in favour of the plan.

He said 143 voted 'no' which represented about a 65-35 per cent result.

The meeting went for about two-and-a-half hours.

Mr Southcombe said the club would now work on plans to unite with other sporting groups to create a viable operation for the future.

Mr Southcombe said he expected those plans would be revealed within the next week.

Under the memorandum of understanding drawn up between the clubs before the vote was taken, the bowling club's core property, the Warrendine Street site, would have been guaranteed to continue to operate for only the next five years.

OESC has committed to building a major sports club at Wentworth Golf Club which would include two new bowling greens. OESC and Wentworth amalgamated last year.

OCBC has been operating for 121 years and its current Warrendine Street site is its third home.

OESC CEO Daniel Perkiss said last week if a 'no' vote occurred the club would continue plans to develop the sports facility at Wentworth Golf Club.

"We will happily move on and begin the design process of our new sporting home at Wentworth which will still include two bowling greens and a state-of-the-art facility," he said.

"Under either outcome the members of OESC are winners with an exciting development on the way."