Banchory-based Bancon Construction said yesterday it had won a £3 million contract for the major redevelopment of Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC).
Work will start immediately at The Tramsheds, an old granite building on Constitution Street, as part of the £4.4m revamp of the science centre, which is known to generations of Aberdonians as Satrosphere.
The project is expected to take 11 months and is aimed at creating a modern new centre, opening next spring, reflecting science, technology, engineering and maths properties for the education and industrial sectors.
ASC’s transformation will include an extension and new mezzanine floor – almost doubling the exhibition space.
The roof will be restructured to allow natural light to flood into the building, while Bancon’s team will also completely redevelop the interior of the centre before specialist fitters move in to create new, interactive exhibits and displays.
Gavin Currie, managing director, Bancon Construction, said: “Aberdeen Science Centre holds special memories for many local people as well as visitors and we are honoured to have been awarded the contract to redevelop the building into a centre that is fit for the 21st Century.
“We have considerable experience of working with old granite buildings and recently carried out a similar redevelopment project at the Oil and Gas Technology Centre building in Aberdeen, which included the complete refurbishment of the reception and upper floors, and structural alterations.
“The team is looking forward to getting started on the Aberdeen Science Centre project, where we expect to have up to 50 workers on site at the height of the work.”
ASC’s upgrade was made possible by support and funding from the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, UK Research and Innovation, Wellcome, Opportunity North East and Aberdeen City Council.
Fundraising is ongoing to secure a further £1.25m to support activities to improve the overall visitor experience at the venue.
ASC chief executive Liz Hodge said: “The awarding of this contract marks the start of an exciting milestone in our history, and moves us closer to realising our long-term aspirations of revitalising Aberdeen Science Centre and creating a state-of-the-art facility people in the north-east can be proud of.”
The centre, which is nearly 30 years old, is in a temporary home at 107 George Street, while work on The Tramsheds is being carried out.