A £50 million programme to redevelop Aberdeen’s beachfront is set to get fully underway next week.
It’s the biggest redevelopment of Aberdeen’s beachfront in 35 years and is part of the council’s city centre and beach masterplan.
Construction teams will begin work on three key sites next week as they look to help make the beach area a must-visit destination in the city.
Work will also begin on stripping out the former beach leisure centre and detaching it from the adjoining beach ballroom before demolition begins.
It will see the creation of a beach park, a large events field and the enhancement of the famed Broadhill during phase A of the beachfront works. It’s something that Aberdeen City Council’s co-leaders Ian Yuill and Christian Allard believe will attract visitors to the area.
Mr Yuill said: “Aberdeen Beach and the Links are a great asset for the city and wider North-east. The council is committed to working with beach users, partner organisations, and businesses at the beach to make Aberdeen Beach and the Links the envy of other cities and a place where local people and visitors alike will want to return to again and again.
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“This new, exciting and high-quality development is the next step to make Aberdeen an even better place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”
Mr Allard said: “The start of the biggest redevelopment the beachfront has had for 35 years is an important milestone and we look forward to continuing to drive forward with our plans for transforming the beach area for the enjoyment of everyone.
“This investment in the beachfront is alongside the current redevelopment on Union Street Central and the new market building and these all have key roles in ensuring we have a vibrant and exciting city which will be enjoyed for generations.”
The main works will now begin as diversion work to key underground services come to an end, with a large gas pipe across the two sites diverted with work on water, electricity and broadband services around the boundary of the scheme.
The three sites will started to be fenced off from next week and construction will follow on the former cricket pitch behind the beach leisure complex and events field.
The beach park will include a play park, sports area, a hub building and a canopy shelter and much more and be a key entry point between the city centre and the beach area.
There is also plans for a large-scale bespoke play structure in the play park called the Rope Factory, which the council say will become an ‘iconic’ beach attraction. It was shaped through workshops with school children and young people and inspired by the city’s rope making history.
Within the play area there will be four zones – Sport, Adventure, Woodland, and Coastal – all with different activities in them.
The events field, which stands at 2.5 hectares, will be able to host fesitvals and large concerts as well as being used as an informal space.
Broadhill is a beachfront landmark and the existing path network will be upgraded with improved surfacing, viewing platforms and seating areas. The biodiversity of the site will also be enhanced and add to the natural environment of the area and increase habitat and ecological value.
The Broadhill works are due to be completed in the summer of 2025 while the beach and events park are planned to be finalised in 2026.
The beach works are part of a £150 million commitment by Aberdeen City Council towards the City Centre and Beach Master Plan. Works are currently under way on streetscape improvements for the Union Street Central area while construction on the new market will begin this month. Public consultations have also been held for a new urban park in Queen Street and improvements to the Castlegate.
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