School pupils upped tools yesterday to mark the beginning of a £2.66million revamp at an Aberdeen community centre.
Youngsters from Manor Park Primary joined construction workers for a sod-cutting ceremony at the Lord Provost Henry E Rae Community Centre.
The building, on the city’s Manor Avenue, is being given a complete refurbishment and extension.
Councillor Gordon Graham, vice-convener of the city council’s communities, housing and infrastructure committee, said he hoped the new centre would be “the heart of the community”.
He added: “It will make such such a difference to groups who use the existing centre and for the surrounding community.
“We’re looking forward to work progressing at the site and then welcoming the community in and using the centre when it’s finished.”
The building will house Middlefield Community Project, Lord Provost Henry E Rae Community Centre management committee and NHS Healthy Hoose.
The existing Middlefield Community Project building in Logie Place is due to be demolished in 2016-17 to make way for the construction of the new Haudagain link road.
The group’s project coordinator Helen Graham, said it was a “great regeneration for the area”.
The new centre will provide childcare places, youth facilities, community services like adult learning, and community activities for the elderly.
Sheila Rae, of the Henry Rae management committee, said: “It’s a big change but I think it will be a good thing for the whole community.
“There will be a lot more going on in the new centre.
“I am sure it will be used by a lot of people.”
The new facility will also house the area’s Healthy Hoose which currently operates out of two flats in Logie Place.
It offers contraception, immunisations, advice to stop smoking and assistance to help with asthma, diabetes and heart disease.
It will also include nursing help, counselling, podiatry and offer a credit union under the one roof.
The main contractor for the project is CHAP Construction.
