Playparks across Aberdeen are set for more than £1.2million of improvements – if the work is approved by councillors next week.
The local authority’s infrastructure committee will meet for the first time since the election on Wednesday and has been asked to sign off on the ambitious projects.
Along with £450,000 already allocated for this year, the council is looking to plough an additional £826,000 into the parks throughout the Granite City.
Among the areas targeted will be Cults skate park, Cove playing field, Stewart park, Westfield park and Westburn skate park.
But a report to councillors has warned that, due to the scale of the work, there are not enough council staff to complete it within a year. It has recommended hiring more workers.
The report reads: “The additional £826k budget allocated for 2017-18 brings the total budget available for this year’s refurbishment programme to £1.3 million.
“This trebling of the budget means that the present staff resources are insufficient to deliver the programme.
“It is proposed that an additional administration officer and supervisor are appointed on a fixed-term basis to enable delivery of this programme.
“The cost of this additional staff of £62k would be taken from the £826k additional funding. This programme cannot be delivered on time at the present staffing levels.”
Infrastructure convener, Yvonne Allan, the improvements were aimed at encouraging more youngsters to get exercise and play outside.
She said: “This is an ongoing programme of work as its recognised these areas benefit people in many different ways.
“Children get outside and get more exercise and mums and dads can socialise. ”
Vice-convener Philip Bell added: “I’m delighted that this money will be invested in play parks across the city.
“The city has a responsibility to invest in facilities for its young people and I’m glad that we’ll be ensuring quality play parks for our children.”
Tommy Campbell, regional officer of the Unite union, said he hoped that the work would be carried out by council staff and not outside contractors.
He said: “We are glad to hear of this investment in community facilities and we are hopeful the work will be directly carried out by council employees.
“We hope that the families living in these areas will be pleased with the upgrades.”
