Aberdeen city centre’s enhanced roof garden has been unveiled after work on the greenspace near the St Nicholas Centre was completed.
Project partners and dignitaries met (Friday, October 2) as the Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam revealed a granite plaque within the area to officially mark its re-opening. Also in attendance was Margaret Rae, wife of the late former Lord Provost of Aberdeen Henry E Rae, who opened the garden in 1985.
Spearheaded by business organisation Aberdeen Inspired, with support from project partners Bon Accord & St Nicholas, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Greenspace, Aberdeen Forward, Atkins and Creative Core, the project has seen over £200,000 of improvements made in a bid to make the garden more welcoming to visitors.
The area’s seating and lighting have both been significantly improved, with new picnic provision also added to the garden. A children’s play area along with 18 renovated flower beds which now house an impressive array of wildflowers and plants have also helped breathe new life into the greenspace.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam said: “With a wonderful display of wildflowers and the addition of a children’s play area the new-look roof garden will be a real attraction for all ages. Congratulations must go to everyone who has been involved in revitalising the garden. I’m particularly pleased that Margaret Rae, wife of the late former Lord Provost of Aberdeen Henry E Rae, who officially opened the garden in 1985, was able to join us for this official re-opening.”
Gary Craig, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The event signalled the end of months of hard work and I’d like to commend and thank all those who have made the successful completion of this ambitious project possible.
“The roof garden is a legacy project for Aberdeen Inspired and we want both families and individuals to enjoy the space for years to come. It is also a great example of how partnership working and funding can come together to the benefit of the wider public and the enthusiasm and support shown by both partners and neighbouring businesses has been exemplary.
“The availability of greenspace within a city centre is of great importance to those who use the area on a regular basis, whether it be families, office workers or shoppers, and the roof garden aims to provide a safe, clean and relaxed environment for people to spend time within. The potential for the garden is huge and I believe that this project is simply the beginning in allowing the space to re-establish itself as a destination of choice within Aberdeen.”
Craig Stevenson, manager of Bon Accord & St Nicholas, said: “Alongside the business community, we want the public to have a big part in the roof garden moving forward and we were delighted to welcome everyone along for a first look at the space.
“Alongside having lots of music, food and entertainment, we want to plant the seed on how people can use the space for their own future events. Not every city is lucky enough to benefit from an area as accessible and aesthetically pleasing as this roof garden is now and for that I can’t thank the team and the project partners enough for giving the city something it can be proud of once again.”