“WE’VE ALREADY GOT AN ICONIC STRUCTURE”
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“WE’VE ALREADY GOT AN ICONIC STRUCTURE”
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COWAL resident Ron Simon is seeking the views of the local community about Dunoon pier - saying that it has the potential to become an attraction for the town, rather than an expensive liability.
Mr Simon is an Argyll and Bute councillor, but says that his interest in the pier is a personal initiative and is not linked to his council role.
However, he has been involved in discussions on the Argyll pier’s future, and admits that his views now represent something of a turnaround.
“There was a public meeting early in 2008 to discuss the options for Dunoon’s regeneration under the CHORD project,” he told the buy real cialis.
“None of the options included retention of the pier, and at that time I was happy with that as a way forward.”
Part of the CHORD proposals for Dunoon included reclamation of land on the waterfront and the creation of an ‘iconic building’, perhaps a hotel or conference centre.
However, Mr Simon says: “In Dunoon pier we already have an iconic structure.
“I’ve been uncomfortable for some time at the idea of knocking the pier down; although I am also uncomfortable about allocating potentially millions of pounds to a structure without a clear function.
“Some may say ‘knock it down’ but now I am saying why not turn that around and use it as an attraction?
“It’s potentially a great asset - it’s Dunoon’s shop window, it really gives a sense of arrival in the town - and that could be a good brand.”
Mr Simon, in his capacity as a councillor, is a member of Dunoon’s CHORD project board and as such will be involved in the decision-making process about the pier’s future. But at the moment, he wants to hear from the local community first: “I just want to know whether the public share my views that the pier should be transformed into a functioning attraction. If they do, then I can start talking and taking things forward.
“Basically I am trying to start a consultation right at the beginning - rather than a decision being made and the people being presented with a fait accompli.”
Mr Simon has started the ball rolling by setting up a dedicated Facebook page - ‘Dunoon Pier - the future’ to collect views, opinions and, most importantly, ideas about what exactly could be done with the Victorian pier.
Since its creation just over a week ago, the page has attracted over 180 members - and so far, the overwhelming view is that the pier should be saved.
One woman commented: “For a town that is trying to reinvent itself as a holiday destination, preservation of its principal attraction should not even be in debate.”
Another woman pointed out that it was a fine example of Victoriana and that this, given a modern interpretation, could be capitalised upon, rather than simply preserving it in mothballs.
Several people have suggested that incorporating a restaurant, cafe or wine bar along with retail outlets would provide a quality attraction for Dunoon, while another man has suggested bringing the SV Carrick to Dunoon to be moored permanently at the pier as another element of the attraction.
This idea is one shared by Ron Simon: “I’d like to see perhaps a Victorian, maritime or nautical museum, or a permanent vessel tied up there, but it has to be interactive, too.
“A Victorian-style tearoom with people in costume would also be good. I’d like to see an attraction along the lines of Inverary Jail, which is a great example of success. The old viewing gallery could be restored.
“We need to cast the net and see what ideas are out there.”
The ideas sound good - but what about cost? The original CHORD proposals for the waterfront included some kind of harbour or marina development. This contributes to Mr Simon’s discomfort: “This would involve a very high cost and you wouldn’t get enough economic return.
“Protecting the pier - providing we establish a function for it - is good leverage for attracting funding. Knocking it down is not.”
If there was sufficient interest, he foresees that establishing a trust would be the way forward: “This would qualify for funding that isn’t available to local authorities.
“A trust could work alongside the council and the CHORD project board to complement, rather than conflict with, what is planned for the town.”
He is keen to hear from people: “I would encourage people to respond via this newspaper, if they’re not on Facebook, so that I can collect views. If people say they want to keep the pier, we can then talk to the council and other partners, perhaps look at public meetings.
“Basically there is a great asset there. You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.”
So far, it seems the public do share his view that the pier should be retained. One Facebook poster said simply: “If you take away Dunoon pier, it would be like taking the heart out of Dunoon.”
What are your views? Should Dunoon pier be transformed into an attraction for locals and visitors alike, becoming a new ‘brand’ for the town? Should it be left as it is? Or should it be knocked down altogether?
If you’re on Facebook, visit ‘Dunoon Pier - the future’. Alternatively, the Standard’s own website discussion forum has a thread dedicated to the subject. Call us on 01369 706854 or e-mail editorial@dunoon-observer.co.uk, or write to us (not necessarily for publication).