Inverurie’s £55 million community campus is preparing to open its doors to the public for the very first time at the end of the month.
The new site will be home to Inverurie Academy after the October holiday break, and the public will be able to book a visit to its swimming pool from September 30.
As well as a six-lane swimming pool, the campus will also offer a great deal of other sport and leisure facilities, including a multi-use games arena and two all-weather pitches, available to both pupils and residents alike.
Councillor Gillian Owen, the chairwoman of the council’s education and children’s services committee, said the new site will be a welcome addition to the growing community of Inverurie.
She said: “We are very excited opening dates have been set, and that the local community will soon be able to make use of this modern, dynamic new facility.
“It will be a huge asset for our school pupils, for our staff and of course the wider public.
“Many thanks to all the teams who have worked so hard to get the project to this stage.”
The community campus has been built by contractors Robertson, and its sports and leisure offerings will be run by Aberdeenshire Council’s Live Life Aberdeenshire organisation.
The new school will have room for 1,600 pupils.
St Andrew’s School pupils will also be moving into the new building in October.
Last week, a practical completion certificate was issued, meaning building work has been completed.
Preparations are now underway for the transition of Aberdeenshire Council employees and services ahead of the grand opening of the new building.
Elliot Robertson, chief executive officer of Robertson, said: “As one of the largest school construction projects in Scotland, this £55 million campus will provide modern education, sports and community facilities for the area.”
And councillor Anne Stirling, chairwoman of the local authority’s communities committee, added: “Inverurie Community Campus is a testament to Aberdeenshire Council’s commitment to investing in our communities.
“Projects like these help to make our wonderful local area a great place to live and work, and help us to promote active lifestyles through Live Life Aberdeenshire.
“I would encourage everyone to find out more about accessing these excellent facilities.”
Construction was expected to be finished by Spring, only for the project to be significantly delayed by the pandemic.
