Provost Howatson has welcomed a decision by Aberdeenshire Council to progress with the long-awaited £8.5m Banchory Sports Village, with work due to start on site in August.
Funding of £6m has been secured from Aberdeenshire Council's Capital Plan and supplemented by £700k from the Banchory Sports Village through local fundraising and further funding from developer obligations.
Planning consent was granted in December 2016 for the Village which will include a reception/café area, a 6-lane swimming pool, training pool, 3 court sports hall, fitness room, 2 squash courts/multi-purpose area, changing areas, cafe and meeting rooms.
Construction place is expected to take less than 18 months, with a provisional opening date planned for January 2019.
Provost Howatson welcomed the decision to proceed with the development and said, 'This announcement will be welcomed in Banchory and we applaud the enthusiasm and commitment of local people for their fundraising efforts in order for them to realise the town's ambition for new sporting facilities.'