Turf-cutting ceremonies in Banff and Macduff for new leisure facilities worth £12.7million

Provost of Aberdeenshire Hamish Vernal recently (Friday, June 26) cut the ground at special events at Banff Academy and Macduff Myrus pavilion for new leisure, sports and community facilities that mark a total investment of over £12.7million across the projects.

Provost Vernal said it was a significant day that followed extensive consultation with the community and added: “I’m sure that the sports groups and members of the community that use these will be pleased with the commitment by the council to make improvements and provide of state-of-the-art facilities.

“These will help to provide our young people with the skills they need and our communities with improved health and well-being.

“Among our key priorities in Aberdeenshire is to encourage interest and participation in sport and physical activity, to help support healthy lifestyles.

“In addition, as well as catering for the community I am sure that the new leisure, sports and community facilities in Banff and Macduff will also ensure visitors to the area are impressed by facilities of the highest quality.

“A total of over £200 million investment has been made over the last few years in the learning estate and also includes Ellon Academy, Alford Academy and multiple new primary schools.”

Vice Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee Councillor Charles Buchan welcomed people to the event and said: “I thank everyone concerned, not least Tesco, for coming to an agreement and ensuring that these facilities in Banff and Macduff could go ahead.

“The facilities will benefit everyone, from those who work and visit the area to local residents and will be enjoyed for many years to come by those playing sports, meeting for business or leisure and more.”

In March, Aberdeenshire Councillors approved additional funding as well as a deal with Tesco to transfer ground at Bridge Road, Banff and demolish a former garage and glazier premises.

The supermarket retailer honoured its support for new facilities in Aberdeenshire following a decision not to progress a supermarket project at Canal Park in Banff.

Councillors also agreed to honour its original commitment of funding from the Capital Plan to contribute towards the overall costs of the facilities.

Extensive community consultation took place during 2013 to engage people in the project.

Chair of Banff and Buchan are Committee Councillor John Cox said: “It has taken time to get to where we are and I am pleased to see the facilities in Banff and Macduff about to be built. I thank everyone involved in making this happen as from construction through to completion these facilities will be a welcome boost for the area from the jobs they will create to encouraging visitors to the area.”

FMP Construction is the contractor and will begin work to create indoor and outdoor sports and community facilities at Banff Academy. The new centre will include community and office areas and viewing galleries for the sports hall and squash courts, as well as an outdoor terrace, car parking and landscaping.

New football pitches will be created, along with running and cycling tracks, upgraded tennis courts, a refurbishment of the PE department and swimming pool.

A new pavilion and football pitches will be created in Macduff and the existing pavilion at Canal Park, Banff will be refurbished.

Director of FMP, Raymond Millar said: “We are delighted to have been awarded our second opportunity with Aberdeenshire Council, through its capital plan of works contractor’s procurement framework.

“FMP has significant experience in the leisure, and education sectors, and we understand the importance of these facilities to the local communities. Our teams are looking forward to working with the Banff and Macduff communities to deliver these projects, using a proven, innovative and best practice approach to the construction phase.”