A community group aiming to revive one of Aberdeen’s most loved buildings has been handed almost £10,000 to investigate future uses for it.
The Bon Accord Baths welcomed generations of swimmers between 1940 and 2008, when it was closed by the council.
Since then, residents have fought to bring the cherished childhood venue back into use and their ambitions have now been boosted by a national funding body.
The Big Lottery Fund has granted the Bon Accord Heritage group £9,780 to embark on a project which could be key to resurrecting the site.
The grants organisation said: “The group will use the funding to conduct a feasibility study and community consultation with the prospect of redeveloping the Bon Accord Baths.”
Last month, Bon Accord Heritage launched a hunt for trustees to drive forward its plans to rejuvenate the popular art deco building on Justice Mill Lane.
In May, vandals broke into the baths and pictures emerged showing graffiti scrawled on the sides of the pool and damage to furniture and wooden boards.
Despite the setback, members remained positive that their multimillion pound ambitions could be achieved.
Craig Adams said: “We need to carry out feasibility studies to decide what facilities we should put in to make money to support the pool and the rest of the building.”
Meanwhile, Aberdeen City Council was given £4,686 to arrange workshops to bring pupils who will attend the new Lochside Academy together later this year.
The £47 million school will open next month, and education convener, John Wheeler, welcomed the investment last night.
He said: “We are working to empower children in decision-making.
“This award is another great example of that with the workshops identifying what activities and classes young people would like.”
The Music 4 U group received £5,000 from Creative Scotland to pay for studio space in Aberdeen Arts Centre, while Inverurie Music was given £3,575 to organise concerts and workshops across Aberdeenshire.
Action Kintore Limited received £4,750 to run a programme of activities and excursions for youngsters and Dunnottar Primary School was awarded £8,701 to refurbish its playground.
The Altens and Cove Community Association received £849 to run a holiday club for five to eight-year-old children for three days.
