Plans have been unveiled to revamp a neglected city centre play area in Aberdeen with an outdoor gym and stage.
The proposals have been lodged with Aberdeen City Council as part of the Skene Street Project, with about £60,000 already secured for play equipment, fencing and a path.
Now, another £150,000 is required for the next phase of the project, with further plans having been submitted to the local authority.
If they are accepted, a consultation would be held for people to give their views on the development.
Aberdeen City Centre Community Council is hoping the scheme, which also includes charging facilities for tablets and phones, a new entrance and improved seating, will be approved as it looks to secure major funding for the venture.
Community council chairman Dustin Macdonald, said: “The aspiration is that not only is it of use to the local community, but the wider community, especially with things like a gym and an outdoor stage.
“We are hoping that it makes it a multi-generational space.
Mr Macdonald described the previous play park as “post-apocalyptic” and “awful” and, since introducing new equipment, claimed that the area had been used much more.
He added: “It’s certainly been busier. The weather has been up and down, obviously, but we have had good responses and I have had people saying it’s really nice to see the changes and see it revitalised.”
The community council chief said that raising the hefty £150,000 was “no mean feat” but the project could be approached in stages.
Crowdfunding could be one way of helping to raise the cash as well as looking to money from supermarkets for carrier bag charges.
He said: “What started out as us wanting a bench for the area has become a much larger project we are determined to make happen.”
Fruit trees were planted at the site last year to create an orchard in the city. That cost nearly £300 and came from the community council’s own coffers.
The group is looking for anyone who can help financially, volunteer or give their professional skills to the scheme.
