Denbighshire County Council has announced that it will shortly be commencing with the demolition of Corwen Pavilion.
The Pavilion closed in March 2010 as a result of a catalogue of serious health and safety concerns. Consequently the building was deemed to be beyond economic repair.
Jamie Groves, Denbighshire’s Head of Leisure, Libraries and Community Development said: “A working group was quickly established and Denbighshire has worked closely with this group over the past 12 months bringing in a number of officers from the county to look at issues related to building design, cost and future funding.
“The decision to demolish the pavilion has been taken in full consultation with the working group with any future development on that site requiring the removal of the existing structure.
“While the building sits empty there is also a significant risk to the council and local community.
“During the meetings with the Corwen Pavilion Working Group, the Council has made it very clear that it does not have the funds to build a new Pavilion but is fully committed to transferring the title of this land over to the community who will be required to set up a charitable trust”.
Denbighshire County Council and the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council will assist the working group in developing and establishing a board of trustees for this charitable trust. Any transfer of land will be subject to meeting the original purpose of promoting Welsh culture.
County Councillor for Corwen, Cllr Huw Jones, said: “The Council will continue to support the working group to form a strong charitable trust that will be in a position to secure funding towards a new facility for the town. The board of the charitable trust would be the decision – making body and look at future building designs, funding and operational issues.
“These are positive steps and there is a lot of hard work ahead of us but with the commitment of officers and support of the community we can work together to ensure we provide a facility that will meet the needs and aspirations of all. The Council remains fully committed to transferring the title of this land over to the community.”
A copy of all minutes and reports from the working groups are available from Corwen Library.
