Demolishing the former canoe club building in Thurso would cost around £30,000, community council hears
The cost of demolishing the former canoe club premises at Thurso beach would be around £30,000, members of the town's community council have been told.
The news was delivered to members by Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, Karl Rosie, at last week's meeting.
He said it is unclear who owns the building but added: "The cost to knock it down and make it good would be about £30,000."
Community councillors thought the premises must be owned by Highland Council but Mr Rosie's council colleague and Caithness committee chairman, Ron Gunn, said: "The council don't have the title deeds for it so we don't know who owns it."
He said it has to be demolished as soon as possible but added: "Who is going to pay for it?"
Alexander Glasgow wondered if the concrete platform of the building will also be removed. Mr Gunn replied: "It can't be left in an unsafe condition. It would be common sense to deal with that bit as well and I would like to think it would be left in a safe state."
Later, Iain Gregory, co-founder of campaign group Caithness Roads Recovery, said he is going to meet Caithness, Sutherland and Ross MSP Maree Todd and the Highland Council's north roads manager.
"I am still waiting for a date for the meeting," he said.
Mr Gregory said the local authority would need to find "a couple of hundred million pounds" to address the roads issues but is facing cuts to its budget in real terms.
"A huge amount of investment is needed but I don't know where it is coming from. We have written to Westminster and Holyrood and the councillors and the one reason we are doing so is because of road safety," he said.
"The number of reports relating to issues with roads is almost becoming unmanageable," added Mr Gregory.
Mr Rosie said potholes are a problem "the length and breadth of Britain" although some members claimed they seemed to be worse in the far north than in other areas.
Community council chairwoman Thelma Mackenzie wondered if the revenue from the lorries taking timber out of Caithness is coming back into the county or is it "just going into a big pot".
James Campbell said the money should be "directed to where it is needed."