By Claire Warrender

A STRIKING water feature on Burntisland Links could finally be operational by this weekend—a year late and at almost double the original budget.

A misunderstanding between Fife Council and Scottish Water has been blamed for the latest hold-up which saw red-faced officials unable to connect the £130,000 feature to the water supply.

However, the water company will begin digging up the road today, the vital connection should be made tomorrow and it could even be switched by Saturday.

The children’s play feature, complete with water wheels and jets, pipes and pressure pads, was designed to make a splash with youngsters and attract visitors from far and wide, and should have been turned on in time for last summer.

But it was dogged by technical problems which delayed it time and again, and at one stage last year the project looked to be completely sunk.

The plans appeared to get back on stream but locals were disappointed once again when the official opening scheduled for the end of April had to be called off because the feature still was not ready.

Local councillor George Kay yesterday welcomed the news that water was finally about to flow but said he was taking no chances and has again postponed the official opening ceremony pencilled in for this Saturday.

He has now called for an official inquiry into why the feature is so late, why it cost so much more than planned and why the five-week construction period is now into its sixth month.

Mr Kay has been heavily involved in the project since the idea entered the pipeline in 2004. At that time he was a member of Burntisland Community Council which raised £35,000 of the £75,000 total estimated cost.

“The last figure we heard was £130,000, although the final budget is probably not available yet,” he said.

“If two years ago somebody had said it would cost £130,000, I probably would have thought differently about the thing.

“I’m extremely pleased it should be operational by the weekend. The water connection still has to be made but I’m told that will be done on Wednesday.

“Nevertheless, we’ve cancelled the opening ceremony for Saturday in case there are any snagging problems which cause more delay.”

Mr Kay said he understood the connection to the site was bypassed when Scottish Water put in a new water main as the site was not being used at the time, and that nobody from Fife Council had checked this at the planning stage.

He added that despite all the problems, the water feature—thought to be the first of its kind in the UK—would be excellent.

“It will be very, very good, especially for smaller children. It’s sitting there at the moment and has been greatly admired by a lot of people.”

Brian Shand, Fife Council’s area parks co-ordinator, confirmed the water connection would be made tomorrow and the road would be reinstated tomorrow and Thursday.

He said the feature would then be tested and, barring any new problems, would be open by the weekend.