Aberdeen City Council has been called upon to ensure a north-east heritage centre can come to fruition.
Earlier this week, finance convener Willie Young said it was unlikely the local authority would be able to help fund a visitor centre at Rubislaw Quarry, which will include a museum, educational suites, meeting rooms and a restaurant.
But now, opposition councillors have urged the administration to lend its formal support to the proposal, even if it is not able to hand over cash.
SNP group leader Jackie Dunbar said: “The council should be committing to give all the help it can to try and move this forward.
“Just because they (the administration) say they can’t help with funding doesn’t mean our officers can’t help to find other funding channels.
“The council should be giving a formal commitment to helping developers find funding.”
But last night, a city finance chief said the authority was totally behind the project.
Finance vice-convener Ross Thomson said: “We have already given support in helping develop a financial case for the development.
“Everything is going in the right direction and particularly myself, and Marie Boulton, are keeping a close eye on this.
“You can’t get a stronger message of support that it being in our strategic infrastructure plan.
“If anyone came to us right now and said can we get funding then it would definitely be a no.
“But it’s a case of getting round the table and looking at a proposal then we have got something to work on.”
The site was bought by friends Hugh Black and Sandy Whyte in 2010, and in December, the local authority approved the scheme.
But Mr Black has been forging ahead with the plan alone following the death of business partner Mr Whyte to cancer.
Last night, he said the centre would be a vital opportunity for the area.
He added: “The oil and gas industry is in crisis, there’s no doubt about it, and now everyone’s looking for something to bring people to the city.
“You would think someone in the council would take heed of what we’re trying to do.
“This is all premature as, just now, we are simply trying to identify interested stakeholders.”
