Multi-million pound sports facilities are already in need of a catalogue of repairs just months after they were opened, Aberdeenshire Council has revealed.
Deveron community and sports centre in Banff welcomed its first users in March, four months after a similar modern facility was unveiled in Macduff.
The centres, which cost £12.7million to build, include sports halls with squash courts, climbing walls and a swimming pool.
They were hailed by local politicians as “first class” and “magnificent” venues that would “be an inspiration for future generations.”
But a report to be discussed by councillors on Tuesday reveals that a serious of “snagging issues” have plagued their running.
In Banff, air conditioning and heating units are faulty, and air leaks are forcing a sports hall to be taken out of service.
Meanwhile in Macduff, the car park has been so poorly designed that it floods regularly.
It is also suffering from similar air leaks within the building and complaints have been raised about both facilities’ outdoor areas not being maintained.
Michael Roy, the co-chairman of the Banff and Buchan area committee and councillor for Banff, said there had been “problems” surrounding the centre since it opened.
“Like all projects, these problems have been identified in the snagging process and are being addressed,” he added.
“Unfortunately, some are easier to address than others. Nevertheless, they will be fixed.
“The use of the Deveron centre has exceeded expectation so it is important that these excellent facilities are exploited to the maximum for the benefit of all.
“Once these problems have been addressed, we will have state of the art sports and leisure facilities of which we can all be proud.”
Councillor John Cox added: “I’m disappointed with the number of issues and complaints which are clearly unacceptable in the eyes of the public.
“However, it has to be appreciated how busy the centre is at most times of the day.”
Since the centres opened, 67,588 people have visited Deveron while 18,943 have attended a class or fitness session in Macduff.
In her report on the facilities, Maria Walker, the council’s director of education and children’s services, said work was set to begin to fix issues this month.
Macduff’s car park, however, will need to be closed for at least two days for brickwork to be relaid. A date has not been set for this.
