The uncertainty facing a north-east bowling club devastated in a fire took a fresh turn last night as it was claimed the council will not fund repairs.
Peterhead’s Victoria Bowling Club suffered a major setback in June last year when a suspicious fire broke out in the pavilion.
For the past 18 months, club members have been forced to operate out of a temporary container, but when plans to rebuild the clubhouse were announced it was discovered the lease on the land has expired.
It means Aberdeenshire Council cannot claim insurance money to cover the costs of replacing the 93-year-old pavilion.
Representatives from the bowling club and the local council office met this week to thrash a deal for the future of the site, but it is understood talks broke down.
Campaigner and local resident Stephen Calder said: “I’ve heard the council intend to ‘phase out’ their upkeep of the greens and to hand over all responsibility to the members’ club. This would mean that the public bowling green leased by the
council since 1920 will now no longer be a council-run public facility.”
Mr Calder said the local authority has also confirmed it will not be able to take responsibility for rebuilding the clubhouse.
He added: “This is a disgrace and would mean the probable loss of one of the town’s major amenities.”
Aberdeenshire Council has repeatedly refuted claims it still owns the land or pavilion, but has stated it will nevertheless do what it can to support the club.
Last night the council’s head of leisure, John Harding said: “We recognise the importance of this bowling facility to the community and we are working closely with the bowling club to do what we can to allow a facility to continue to operate in the town.”
It is understood the new pavilion would cost between £300,000 and £380,000, the majority of which would have been covered by an insurance claim had a lease been in place.