Christmas may have come early for bowlers at a north-east club after it was revealed a deal could soon be struck to replace their fire-hit pavilion.
Victoria Bowling Club in Peterhead was badly damaged in a fire last June, and members have been operating from a temporary container for the past 18 months.
Plans to rebuild the clubhouse stalled when the lease on the land expired and Aberdeenshire Council was no longer able to claim fire insurance to cover the repairs.
But it has now been revealed that the clubhouse could be back up and running by Spring thanks to the local authority.
Club secretary John Noble, who has held talks with the council about the future of the 93-year-old pavilion, said officials had offered the services of a council architect and have invited the club to put in a proposal for funding options to be considered.
“We had a very good meeting last week,” he said.
“Although the council technically no longer has responsibility for the area and couldn’t claim the fire insurance – a bit of a blow all round – we’ve come to a compromise agreement.”
Mr Noble, the former rector of Fraserburgh Academy, rejected claims made by community councillor Stephen Calder that talks had broken down.
“The opposite is true, the talks were very honest and very practical,” Mr Noble said.
“We’re looking forward. We’re looking for a compromise in a difficult situation.
“I feel we’re close to that now. It’s not just a question of a bowling club, this is a public facility with a putting green and tennis courts which are also used by local schools.”
A final decision on funding is likely to be made by the council in January.
Early estimates suggested a replacement pavilion would cost between £300,000 and £380,000.
The majority of the cost would have been covered by an insurance claim, but the smaller clubhouse which is now under consideration is understood to be far less expense.