People will be able to give their preferences for the equipment at the sites, which are being upgraded as part of a rolling programme of repairs and improvements by Aberdeen City Council. The 2014/15 programme included funds from different budgets totalling approximately £500,000, with an additional £150,000 raised from community initiatives and efforts, and the 2015/16 programme also has about £500,000 of City Council funding.
Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure Committee vice convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “The refurbishment of play areas is of great interest to families and we would encourage people to come along and look at the options for the play areas.
“We appreciate the tremendous effort which communities themselves have carried out in raising cash as it’s meant we’ve been able to move forward with this refurbishment programme faster than would otherwise have been possible.”
Council officers will also be available to answer questions at the drop-in sessions, which are being held at: Catherine Street Community Centre on Wednesday, September 16, from 9.30am to 11.30am, for the play area at Hutcheon Court; Cairncry Community Centre on Wednesday, September 16, from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, for the play area beside the Community Centre; Alexander Terrace community flat on Wednesday, September 16, between 11am and 2pm, for the play area on Alexander Terrace; Mastrick Library on Friday, September 18, from 10am and 1pm, for the play area on Mastrick Drive; The Beacon Centre on Friday, September 18 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, for the play area on Millhill Brae.
School children in these areas will also be asked for their opinions on the options presented, before final decisions are made and the plans proceed.
Work to replace old playground equipment with new is also planned at a number of smaller sites in the coming months and residents will soon see work starting at Wales Street, Jacks’ Brae, Manor Avenue, Callum Wynd, Corse Gardens, Deevale Court, Kincorth Land, Corthan Court, Thorngrove Court, Auchmill Terrace, Central Park, Kirk Terrace, and Seaview Drive.
There are currently 153 play areas in the city and refurbishments at 44 will be completed by the end of the year.
Following on from the success of the first year of play area refurbishments in 2013/14, another 19 play areas were given a facelift in the 2014/15 financial year.
Play areas at Thistle Court, Marischal Court, Leslie Terrace, Oldcroft Place, Beech Road, Mathews Road, Earns’ Heugh Road, Langdykes Way, Kerloch Gardens, Girdleness Road, Heathryfold, Cromwell Road, Gordon Park, Greenbrae Drive, Newton Terrace, Seaton Park, Hallfield Road, Altens Community Centre and Kingswood Gardens have all been completely refurbished and are now open to the public.