A £4.3million centre for adults with severe learning disabilities has risen from the ashes, more than three years after it burned down.
The Mastrick Drive venue was engulfed by flames in February 2014 and 60 firefighters battled the blaze for more than 16 hours.
Construction began on a new facility in September last year, which is now named after long-serving champion of disability rights Len Ironside.
Mr Ironside, the city council’s former social work convener who stepped down as a councillor after 35 years in May, yesterday gave the Press and Journal a tour.
Catering for around 50 adults and 35 staff, the centre boasts a vast array of activities which aim to teach basic life and work skills and is the first of its kind in Scotland.
A team of clients in high-visibility jackets could be seen tending the gardens while blaring music, laughing and singing was heard inside.
A kitchen area has been set up to teach the clients basic life skills from making a cup of tea to hanging up washing while a sensory room gives clients the chance to relax and enjoy the sights of multi coloured lights.
Freda Smith of the centre said dealing with a vast array of different conditions meant the staff aimed to offer as much variety as possible.
She said: “We have areas for art, science, a sensory room, a library and even a sign language group.
“There is also the challenge of an aging population, we have people now in their 40s or 50s and their parents are still looking after them at home while they are in their 70s or 80s.
“I’d say the respite we offer is essential.”
Mr Ironside said that he would be proud for the centre to be considered his legacy.
He said: “In the past there was an emphasis that it was a place to get the clients to sit for a day, now they are learning all sorts of new skills.
“It is also a chance for people in the community to see the clients out and about and for both sides to learn.
“I spent my life in politics fighting for the rights of disabled people and to see this new facility up and running this is more than I ever dreamed of honestly.”
