A Keith golf club wants to take control of a derelict eyesore that stands next to the course in an attempt to boost the group’s fortunes.
The disused water tower has stood next to the final holes at Keith Golf Club since the course was built more than 50 years ago.
However, the dilapidated structure has been redundant now for more than a decade after it became surplus to Scottish Water’s needs.
Now members of the club want to take ownership of the building that looms over the fairway to stop it becoming a drain on the group’s resources.
Every month members pay £1,800 to lease the tower as a store for equipment for the golf course.
Treasurer Sandy Gauld said: “We’ve been renting the tower since about the time the course was finished getting built, which was in the early 1960s.
“It’s redundant now for Scottish Water, they’re a government agency so we think we should be entitled to an asset transfer. The only thing it’s worth to them is the income they get from us.
“We’ve tried to move things on with Scottish Water but it’s been difficult. The rent for the tower is by far our biggest expenditure, so it could put a strain on our resources.”
Keith Golf Club currently has more than 200 members with nearly half of them playing regularly on the parkland course.
The water tower was previously used to increase the pressure to homes in Fife Keith.
Yesterday, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead inspected the imposing water tower himself and has vowed to press the case for the members to get outright ownership of it.
He said: “It seems to me that there is little purpose for Scottish Water to keep the building. The common sense approach would be to work with the club and not put obstacles in their way.
“I’ve been in touch with Scottish Water and had some helpful feedback so hopefully they will be in a position to help the club.”
