A north-east bowling club which destroyed in a fire faces an uncertain future after a row broke out about who owns the land.
Victoria Bowling Club in Peterhead suffered a major setback in June last year, when a suspicious fire broke out in the pavilion.
Club members have been operating out of temporary accommodation ever since, but when plans to rebuild the clubhouse were drawn up, it was discovered the lease on the land has expired.
As a result, Aberdeenshire Council cannot claim any insurance money to cover the costs of replacing the 93-year-old pavilion.
Club president Tom Buchan said the club has yet to receive a formal response from the local authority.
“When the thing burned down we had meetings with the council and they actually drew up plans for a new, wooden pavilion,” he said.
“They even went down to the final details of what carpets and vinyl we wanted.
“But then it turned out the 35-year lease ran out a decade ago. How a lease can run out without being renewed I’ll never know. The land belongs to the Feuars Managers and a lease had been in place.
“I’ve tried to contact them but I’ve had no response. We didn’t want to make too many waves until we’d heard back from the council.”
The club is currently operating out of a temporary container.
Mr Buchan said classes from local primary schools traditionally visit the club each week, but they have been forced to put a halt to the games until permanent facilities are in place.
It is understood the new pavilion could 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.
Discussions are now ongoing to establish who is responsible for replacing the facilities.
Last night an Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “The Victoria Bowling Club pavilion building was not owned by Aberdeenshire Council and responsibility for insurance of the pavilion and any rebuild rests with the landowner.
“The council has however provided support to the club over many years and will continue to do so in any ways open to it.”
Representatives of the Feuars Managers were unavailable for comment last night.