Work on a much-needed school in a rapidly expanding Aberdeenshire village will not be completed to deadline.
The new Drumoak Primary – which will replace the currently over-capacity school served by one small building and several portable cabins – was originally scheduled to open in May.
However, delays in the construction mean it will now open its doors later in the year.
Recent developments around the village have led to a population surge and locals have been calling for a new primary school for years.
The new school – situated off Sunnyside Drive, between Drumoak Church and Sunnyside Farm – will have capacity for 145 pupils, along with 30 nursery places, and will include a badminton court, sports hall, all-weather pitch and a library.
The £7.3million project was approved by councillors in 2013.
However, at yesterday’s Aberdeenshire Council policy and resources committee, head of property, Allan Whyte, revealed villagers may have to wait a little longer for it to welcome its first pupils.
“Drumoak Primary is under construction, there are slight delays in that project. It will open later this year,” he said.
Last night Lower Deeside councillor, Graeme Clark, said parents and pupils in Drumoak “deserved” the new school to open soon.
He added: “It is disappointing because the folk in Drumoak are desperately needing a new school, the old one has been there for a long, long time. It’s serviced by portable cabins which is not ideal.
“Folks in Drumoak are disappointed and looking forward to their new school and the sooner it gets built the better.”
He said he had been told the delay would be no longer than August, adding: “I’d be disappointed if it is any later.”
Drumoak community councillor, Maxine Smith, said locals would not mind being patient for a little longer if it meant the new school was all they were hoping for.
“I think the original date was in the spring,” she said.
“The school has been a long time coming, so a couple of months makes no difference, it is more important they get the school completed properly and safe.”