Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee was given updates on capital programme projects ranging from a major roads project to progress on new council housing.

Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “Aberdeen City Council is investing in a range of capital projects across the city to ensure our city is a place people want to live, work, raise a family, or invest.”

A report to committee gave updates for several key capital projects including:

• New Countesswells Primary School and Greyhope School & Community Hub – both open and brought into use;
• Tillydrone Primary School (new Riverbank Primary School) – work has started at the site;
• Union Terrace Gardens – snagging works continue, the grassed area has been turfed, and tenants for the remaining two pavilions;
• South College Street Improvement Junction - all project roads and junctions have reopened and the works are now substantially complete;
• Energy from Waste facility in Altens Industrial Estate - works and commissioning are now complete and acceptance of the facility is expected soon;
• Tillydrone Cruyff Court – works started last month (October 2023) with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2024;
• New council housing - works continue to progress at the Summerhill, Kaimhill, Tillydrone, and Cloverhill projects, and a value engineering exercise is being carried out for the sites at Craighill and Kincorth to try and deliver a more cost effective capital cost for each project.

A separate report to committee on the council’s financial delivery on the capital programme said several projects have been added to the programme following confirmation of funding awards from the Scottish Government:

• Up to £309,000 for school age childcare;
• £150,000 for coastal change adaption;
• £4,000 for the Community Bus Fund.

The Denburn Restoration project will be added to future updates of the programme, the report said.

Meanwhile, funds were also approved for a new £1 million playpark which will be designed to cater for all ages of youngsters in Hazlehead Park.

The massive new structure will be located at the site of the current playpark and will include works to the surrounding areas including drainage.

The project funds include £900,000 from a Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities £50m fund for local authorities for the refurbishment of children’s play parks and £100,000 from Aberdeen City Council funding.

Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “I am pleased the plans for Hazlehead playpark are moving forward with the funding received from the Scottish Government.

“The park is popular with families and young people which I am sure will only continue following this investment.”

The new playpark will include:

• A design phased with age bands, with equipment for younger people to older ones;
• There is a large unit for inclusivity and ensuring all can play within the park;
• Large tower units which will bring a wow factor into the park;
• A purpose-made trail through the wooded section to give a different dynamic of play;
• Fixed formal play elements, interactive panels, and roleplay play options.

Beyond the play equipment, improvements will be made to drainage to the site and there will be new seating, picnic benches and bins, new landscaping, new safety surfacing and grass zones.

Initial designs have been drawn up by the contractor and these may be tweaked after a public consultation however the main design will remain. Consultations will take place with local schools and community groups.