Keith Golf Club takes on old utility structure
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KEITH Golf Club has taken ownership of an old water tower in a community asset transfer.
The former Scottish Water tower was passed to the club using guidelines set out in the Community Empowerment Act.
The community-run golf club has leased a ground-level storage area at the water tower for many years to house green-keeping equipment and other materials. So when the tower was deemed redundant for public water supply use and was disconnected from the network, the club took action to secure the building long-term.
The Scottish Government introduced the Act in 2015 to allow local communities to acquire, lease or manage properties for which there are clear benefits in passing over control.
Established in the 1960s, the golf club is a busy social hub with around 140 members and offers open membership to Keith residents.
Transfer of ownership ensures the water tower can be of benefit to the local community in the long term. The transfer is a first for Scottish Water under the new legislation.
Ian Wilson, Keith Golf Club captain, said: "We’re extremely pleased to now be official owners of the tower – an asset the club and surrounding community can benefit from. We’re truly delighted to have got to this point."
Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said: "The team at Keith Golf Club have put in a phenomenal amount of work to get to this stage and it’s great that the old water tower is now under their ownership. I know this will make a big difference to long-term sustainability of the club.
"The golf club plays a key role in the community and I’m pleased that we’ve managed to secure the community asset transfer that the committee have been hoping for.
"I’ve nothing but praise for the folks who give up their time to ensure the golf club continues to be successful and I’m grateful to Scottish Water for working with them to achieve this positive outcome."
Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross said: "This really demonstrates how buildings which once served their local communities can be brought back to life or find other uses and I’m delighted that Keith Golf Club can continue to use it with the knowledge they can maintain and keep it for decades to come.
"Keith Golf Club is an important part of the community which has been around for 60 years and I’m sure local people will be delighted with this news. Transfer of ownership ensures it will be available for use by the local community for the long term."
Natalie Alexander, estates surveyor for Scottish Water, said: "We are pleased to have reached this stage having worked amicably and closely with the Keith Golf Club to reach a positive outcome. The transfer of ownership of the tower will help contribute to the wellbeing of the local community and protect its continued use for the long term.
"We are delighted to support this and other opportunities where community-based groups have the passion and capabilities to take over assets that are no longer needed and to put them to good use for local people. We expect to be involved in further successful asset transfer requests in the near future."
