JA new multimillion-pound sports centre will open in a north-east town this weekend.
A diverse combination of groups, including local boxers, gymnasts and Brownies will be using the hall at Macduff Community and Sports Centre on Saturday when members of the community are welcomed in for the first time.
The 3.5million facility also includes an all-weather pitch which will be accessed by football and rugby teams throughout the day.
Sports instructors will offer taster sessions of the exercise classes that will be on offer and council staff will answer the public’s questions.
John Harding, chief officer of the local authority’s leisure service described the centre as a “great new facility” for all local people.
He added: “If you live in Macduff, the open day this Saturday is your chance to see the new facilities for the first time.
“It has a sports hall, an all-weather outdoor pitch and rooms which will be available for community groups to book.
“The council’s sport and physical activity staff will be on hand as well as staff from community, learning and development and we are looking for feedback from visitors to the new centre on the kind of activities they are interested in seeing available in the future.”
Mr Harding expressed the hope that local residents shared his eagerness to see the new sports amenities.
On Saturday, the fire brigade will join the open day with one of their engines to show families how it works.
Last night, local councillor Hamish Partridge said: “It has been a long road getting here. There has been a lot of consultation, a lot of questions and hurdles.
“But thankfully, we have finally got here. It will be a fantastic facility for the community.”
Fellow Troup member, Mark Findlater, added: “This is to get the facilities up and running. It’s basically inviting the folk of Macduff and round about to come and have a look around.
“It’s great news.”
The launch event at Macduff Community and Sports Centre will take place on Saturday, November 5 between 10am and 4pm.
