THE views of Ruthin residents are needed on funding for a town beauty spot.
Ruthin Town Council has been approached by Denbighshire County Council, after it “ran out of options” for funding for the Cae Ddol project.
The county council has asked the town council to explore the possibility of prudentially borrowing a shortfall figure of £50,000.
Funding has already been secured from Cadwyn Clwyd, community capital and commuted sums.
The park’s lake is fed with water from Afon Clwyd, but due to restrictions on the amount of water that can be extracted per second, the lake cannot be topped up when it is low - causing it to dry out in warmer weather.
To prevent this problem, a clay liner needs to be inserted over the bed of the lake to retain sufficient water.
“The town council were again approached for money by DDC regarding the lake at Cae Ddol,” said Ruthin’s mayor Menna Jones.
“This would mean the town council having to borrow money for this project.
“As mayor, I would like to receive the views of the public regarding the lake at Cae Ddol.
“Yes, it was in a dreadful state during the dry weather but as soon as we had rain the lake filled again with water - isn’t nature wonderful?”
The matter was discussed as the town council’s most recent meeting, but was deferred to the September meeting.
Jamie Groves, head of leisure and youth services at Denbighshire County Council, said: “The council has worked hard over the past year to raise the necessary funds for this important community project.
“It is getting increasingly difficult to identify other avenues of funding for the remaining £50,000.
“In fact, some of the grants already identified need to be used by January 2011 or that funding will be lost.
“We are asking for support from the town council as this is so important to the residents and a vital part of the town.
“We want to continue to work closely with the town council, the residents of Ruthin and the Friends of Cae Ddol to provide what they really want for their town.”
If this proposal was accepted, the county council said it would “be happy to consider transferring the park over to the town council”.
Tell us your view by emailing natalie.jones@nwn.co.uk or by calling 01352 707707, or contact Menna Jones by emailing morfuddmenna@boyns.net