The area was earmarked earlier this year for a number of additions in an effort to encourage more people to use the city space on a regular basis.
With over £200,000 in funding secured for the project, including support from Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Greenspace, Bon Accord & St Nicholas, Atkins and Creative Core, preparatory work began in May with all the previous planting, bushes and trees cut back.
It has now been unveiled that a children’s play area will be the deck’s main focus, with vastly improved, modern lighting also set to be installed to create a safe and welcoming area for families and individuals to enjoy.
An impressive array of wildflowers and plants are also set to breathe new life into the existing planters, with 18 flowerbeds in total aiming to enhance the area’s green space. Improved seating, including provision for picnics, is also part of the plans.
Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “Now that most of the funding is in place, we’ve been busy finalising plans for the area and we’re delighted to be able to include a number of new and contemporary elements that will be included in the deck’s refresh.
“The main focus will be the installation of the children’s play area. We’ve identified a need for a dedicated play area within Aberdeen’s city centre and we think it will really help to add something different to what was located within the deck before. There is no real outdoor play space within the city centre for families to enjoy so this will hopefully be viewed as a positive development, helping provide a destination for families to visit.
“We’re also looking to enhance the 18 flower beds that are present in the deck and have outlined a range of wildflowers and shrubbery that really will come together to help create a green space that we can be proud of. We have maintained a good event space in front of the soon-to-be refurbished band stand and hope the space will be utilised on a more regular basis. One element we are looking to introduce in the future is innovative augmented reality for children and parents alike.
“As Aberdeen Inspired moves towards its re-ballot in 2016, this is really a legacy project for us and we want to create something that will be enjoyed by families and individuals for years to come. The potential for the area is massive and we want to return it to its former glory alongside giving the people of Aberdeen a new and exciting space to visit and enjoy. This is a great example of what we can do by bringing public and private funding together to make significant improvements to parts of the city centre.”
Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district and driving footfall to the zone.
For further information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired visit www.aberdeeninspired.com