That was the shock news from Thursday's meeting of the district council's policy and recourses committee – just a month after councillors had agreed on a curling/skating ice pad set-up at ground level, and a full-length three-lane indoor bowling rink on the floor above.
It could well be that the entire Allardice Street project will be scrapped at the end of the day and council houses built on the cleared ground instead.
Councillors heard that it was doubtful the Scottish Sports Council would give a hoped-for 50% grant towards the £100,000 cost of the ice pad – because it would be only half the required size for curling and accommodate only 30 skaters at a time.
Councillor James Hay gave notice of a motion he intends to put to a meeting of the environmental and recreation committee on Thursday next.
He said that he would propose the entire project for the cinema site be abandoned, that the council should revert to its original thinking of local authority housing there and that the possibility of roofing over the outdoor heated swimming pool at the beach should be re-examined.

50 Years Ago

Friday, April 25, 1958

A RAILWAYMAN'S hut near Muchalls Station was destroyed by fire on Sunday night.
Stonehaven Fire Brigade dealt with the outbreak.
The hut was used as a shelter by workmen engaged in repair work near Muchalls Station.

100 Years Ago

Thursday, April 23, 1908

WE are now close on the final for the Kincardinshire Parliamentary stakes and so far the race has been a very interesting one.
Me Gammell has surprised even his opponents by his excellent appearance and if merit goes for anything, should head the poll.
His opponent Captain Murray has not improved on his first appearance in the Town Hall, when he was adopted as the Liberal candidate.
Of all hecklers, there are few so good as the Kincardineshire men and this applies more especially to the country districts.
For instance, the quiet way they led Captain Murray into the confession that small holdings were a success in Denmark, and directly after drew from him that their owners were mostly in debt was cleverly done, though it must have been very upsetting to the candidate.
Heckling in Stonehaven, however, is a more serious matter.
The Liberal candidate may, and generally does, get a fair hearing, and then answers his questioners, but if it is a speaker on the other side he is interrupted all through his address by some discontents with stentorian lungs, who seem to have little love for fair play or the right of others to differ from them in opinion.