Last-ditch negotiations are continuing to save Aberdeenshire’s prehistory park from closing down this week, just as the tourist attraction should have been reopening for a new season.
The fate of Archaeolink at Oyne hangs on the outcome of talks between the only remaining party to have expressed an interest in running the site – which could involve an investment of up to £2million – and the centre’s board of trustees.
“Talks have been going on for more than a month. It is going down to the deadline,” said Mid Formartine councillor John Loveday, who sits on the board of trustees with Aberdeenshire Council leader Anne Robertson.
All four full-time staff will lose their jobs on Thursday, the day before the park was due to open for an annual programme of history activities and re-enactments.
Employees have been given permission to hold a private farewell gathering in the visitor centre next week.
Mr Loveday said two potential investors had contacted the trust, but one scheme had been rejected: “That involved a different use of the site which did not meet the requirements of our deed of trust.
“The remaining idea involves its continued use as a similar tourist attraction, with an archaeological element but possible other activities.
“We don’t want to see it go, but it would require substantial new investment – realistically £1-2million – to make it something bigger,” he added.
He would not comment on whether the remaining interest represented a national or a local concern.
Mr Loveday added: “People tended to come to Archaeolink once and that was it. It has not worked. There has to be something else to make them come back. I don’t know what.
“Everyone has worked incredibly hard to make Archaeolink a success, but it just wasn’t enough. It needs major investment.”
He said if no agreement is reached by the March 31 deadline, the board would meet next week to decide its next step. While the council owns the land at Oyne, the Archaeolink facilities are owned by trustees who took over the running of the site in 2005.
Archaeolink has swallowed £2.5million in Aberdeenshire Council subsidies since it opened 14 years ago. Local authority accounts show the prehistory park had net losses of £132,000 for the year ending March 31, 2010, while net assets totalled about £1.7million.