A flagship renovation project of one of Aberdeen’s oldest buildings has been branded “woefully late and tragically over budget”.
Anger has erupted after it emerged the work at Provost Skene’s House will cost around 150% of its original forecast and it is already two years behind schedule.
A report to next week’s capital programme committee has revealed that a budget of £3.8million has been put forward for the project and it is “envisaged” that they will be complete by next autumn.
Council chiefs first announced the plan for the 16th-century building, which includes a “Hall of Heroes” of the most famous Aberdonians, in September 2016 and predicted a cost of £1.5million and a completion date of July 2017.
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The line-up for the exhibition was announced nearly two years ago after nearly 2,000 people took part in a public poll, where the candidates included the likes of footballing legend Denis Law and musical maestro Annie Lennox.
Last night, opposition SNP councillor Alex Nicoll said: “In 2016, the administration told us that Provost Skene’s House would cost £1.5m and be open by July 2017.
“Now, three years later, they are telling us that it will be at least 150% over budget and will open at least three years later than planned.
“In time-honoured tradition, the administration are delivering a project that is woefully late and tragically over budget – not exactly a befitting start for a Hall of Heroes.
“At this point, they have to apologise to the people of Aberdeen for once again squandering their money, but I won’t be holding my breath.”
However, council co-leader Douglas Lumsden responded that overruns were common in the public sector.
He added:“ Provost Skene House is one of Aberdeen’s important historical buildings and as such work carried out within it will be to the highest standard.
“This administration is committed to Provost Skene House celebrating Aberdeen’s heroes from the world of stage and screen, sporting champions, musical maestros, wordsmiths and scientists who have contributed so much to the world.”
“As we’ve seen with the SNP, whether it’s the failed Common Agricultural Policy IT system, hundreds of millions over budget and still not working or the AWPR being £250million over cost , there are challenges in public sector procurement that face all political administrations.
“As always, I would welcome constructive proposals, but with the SNP it’s headlines first and responsibilities second.”
