A CORWEN resident claims that Denbighshhire Conty Council is behind the closure of the town’s pavilion.
The pavilion, built in 1911, was closed to the public on Tuesday, March 2 due to a catalogue of serious health and safety problems, including: a leaking roof - with water getting into the electrical system, structural problems and asbestos.
The closure was met with mixed reviews from members of the public in Corwen.
A few believe it was the best decision made but others think there was an alternative reason behind the closure.
“Denbighshire County Council has always wanted to close it down,” said Elena Williams, whose mother performed in shows at the pavilion in the 1930s.
“They want it all to go to Llangollen Pavilion.
“But acoustic performances are much better here than they are in Llangollen.
“I think it’s a disgrace that they are closing in down.
“The council made no effort to look after the place,” she added.
Sian Davies, who works at Ecclestones in Corwen said she is glad the pavilion is being torn down as it has “been left to rack and ruin.”
“But I will be glad if they are going to put something in its place,” she said.
“The community needs something like this, I use the pavilion for aerobics once a week.
“But its cold and it leaks.
“It could be used a lot more than it is, I think people didn’t go there because of the state it’s in,” she added.
A younger resident of Corwen said: “I’m glad that it’s closing.
“It’s not used for anything anyway, the last time I went there was about a year ago.
“So it will be nice to see something new going there.
“There was a rumour a while ago that it was going to be pulled down and made into offices.”
The pavilion, one of the largest public halls in North Wales, put Corwen on the map with a range of events from the Urdd Eisteddfod in 1921 to concerts including the Super Furry Animals and the first Welsh language band - Edward H Dafis.
Several major events will now need to find a new venue including: the Urdd Jamboree on May 6, Noson Gan Concert on June 11 and 12, Symphonia Cymru on July 5, as well as one of Britain’s top sheep-shearing competitions on July 23 and 24.
A spokeswoman for Denbighshire County Council said: “There are leaks in the roof, water leaking into the electrical system.
“The roof is beyond repair and the building is non compliant with Health and Safety regulations following recent legislation.
“Along with the structural problems and asbestos, we have had to make this difficult decision.
“Even to date, efforts to extend the life of the building were in place and additional funding sought, however the requirements of environmental health, fire safety and general health and safety could not be achieved,” she added.