Boating pond work is?progressing

WORK to finally reopen MOFFAT’S boating pond is progressing – but there is still uncertainty around underlying issues at the site. The pond in the town’s Station Park has been out of action for years due to low water levels, with the colourful pedalos and boats being stored on an island. A previous major flooding event caused damage to the side of the pond, causing collapse. Despite a range of repairs being carried out, there are still lingering concerns around leakage problems. Council officers, who have called in external experts for support, admit that the continued closure has “impacted income generation” for the local authority. Dee and Glenkens Councillor Andy McFarlane raised the issue at the council’s economy and resources committee on Tuesday. He said: “The pond at Moffat, which apparently was quite an income generator, has been out of commission for quite some time. “I’d be interested to understand why that is – and what we’re doing about it. Because obviously if it was a means of generating income then it’s something we should be looking to put right, and try and get that back in place.” Council finance officer Thomas Alder replied: “An assessment was done earlier this year due to the loss of water, which was one of the concerns we’ve got. “There’s been an estimate come in around some works we can do in-house. These are small works, probably up to about £50,000. “We’re undertaking those works in preparation for next year, however the assessment’s main point was that it might not quite fix the main leakage problems. “It couldn’t be identified while there was water in Moffat Pond if full works were required – and those went to circa £250,000.” He continued: “The second part of the Moffat issue is there seems to be a blockage of water getting into the pond. So we’re speaking to SEPA at the moment regarding to see if we can potentially take water out of the near side river for that. “But that’s a bit of an issue for SEPA, depending on the volume. “But we’re confident that what we’ll do is just fill up for this season moving forward – and then make further assessment of it operating.” Moffat and District Community Council members have called repeatedly for more swifter action in finding solutions to get the pond reopened.