A north-east council is ready to set aside £40,000 to save a bowling club which was destroyed by fire.
Peterhead’s Victoria Bowling Club was devastated by a blaze in the summer of 2014 and members of the bowling club have been forced to operate from a temporary clubhouse for more than 18 months.
A lengthy row over the ownership of the site followed until it was revealed that Aberdeenshire Council handed over responsibility for the site 20 years ago.
The revelation explains why the council cannot claim for the replacement pavilion through insurance, as was first believed.
But local authority officers have still recommended that members of the education, learning and leisure committee pledge £40,000 of council cash to rescue the club.
In a new report which will be presented to councillors later this week, Aberdeenshire’s head of lifelong learning and leisure, John Harding, says: “In discussions with the bowls club it was noted that the lack of pavilion would probably mean the club would cease to be a viable club, ending a 90-year record of active participation in leagues and competitions.
“Recognising the strategic importance of supporting ‘More People More Active More Often’, the council worked to propose a package of support.”
Mr Harding adds that the local authority has offered professional support from architects to streamline the planning process.
If councillors vote to release the funds, Victoria Bowling Club will be required to draw up a “viable business plan” to show how the maintenance of the pavilion and greens will be paid for.
Last night club secretary John Noble, the former rector of Fraserburgh Academy, said the money would be a significant development in the saga.
Mr Noble said: “It’s a case of can we get the planning permission for a building that would be within our budget. We’ve got the help of a professional architect to make that so and it’s early days.”
It is understood that, with additional money raised from the local community, businesses and the club itself, the total budget to replace and maintain the pavilion will be around £50,000
Mr Noble added: “There are some positive signs, and if the council release the funds that’s certainly an important part of the equation.”