Secretary manager Neil Southcombe said that might involve changing the club's name to a more general title such as 'Orange City Sports Club'.

He said they would seek expressions of interest from other clubs and sporting groups around Orange keen to make the OCBC building in Warrendine Street their home.

Mr Southcombe said they had already received interest from some groups.

"There's a few that have shown interest once the [amalgamation] memorandum of understanding went out. We couldn't speak to them [before now] in the light of the amalgamation process," he said.

A historic vote at the club on Tuesday night saw just 76 of the 219 members present support the OESC amalgamation.

Mr Southombe 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 future operation.

"That's part of the vision of the board at this time," he said.

"The board are excited about it and the membership is possibly as well."

He said they would start advertising for expressions of interest within the next few days ahead of the club's annual general meeting in December.

"We've got an AGM in the middle of December. We've set ourselves our own deadline. We will be coming back with sporting clubs to bring to the table," he said.

Mr Southcombe said those groups would be offered positions on the club's board and potentially a share in revenue raised at the club.

"There would be a bunch of legal things. We would seek guidance from Clubs NSW to make sure we are not in breach of our constitution," he said.

"It depends on what they [other groups] are looking for. We're helping each other."

He said those groups could bring hundreds of new people to the club.

OESC CEO Daniel Perkiss said while the club was 'disappointed' it was committed to building a major sports club at Wentworth Golf Club, which would include bowling greens.

OESC and Wentworth amalgamated last year.

"OESC has a very comprehensive plan for the future of bowls in the town," he said.

"We are disappointed that OCBC members elected not to come on this journey with us," Mr Perkiss said.

"OESC are resolute, and are forging ahead with the future plans and development to build a first-class facility at Wentworth which will incorporate two bowling greens along with a state-of-the-art clubhouse and golfing facilites for the community."

Wentworth's previous clubhouse was destroyed by fire in May last year.

He said following the 'no' vote the OESC advised its members a meeting planned to be held at the club Wednesday night to vote on the amalgamation had been called off as "there is effectively no business to transact".

"The board and management of OESC wish OCBC the best of success with their future plans and endeavours," he said.

The OCBC has been operating for 121 years and the Warrendine Street site is its third base across that time.

Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...