A community centre, a swimming pool, a historic city centre building, and a new recycling centre have all had progress as part of Aberdeen City Council’s capital building programme.
The Finance and Resources Committee heard updates on several projects – the Bridge of Don Household Waste Recycling Centre, the Tolbooth, Bairns’ Hoose, Harlaw Road Pavilion, Bucksburn Swimming Pool, the B999/Shielhill Road junction, and an extension to Inchgarth Community Centre.
Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “Aberdeen City Council is delivering investment in projects across Aberdeen, with the likes of the Inchgarth Community Centre extension well underway and set to make a real positive impact to the local community once it’s finished.
“We are investing in our communities, as well as the city centre, to ensure Aberdeen is a place people want to live, work, study, raise a family and do business.”
Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “These varied projects will all help residents and visitors in different ways and improve people’s lives.
“It is good to hear the progress reports and we look forward to updates on these projects in the future.”
The updates to committee included:
- Bridge of Don Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) – this new facility which will provide a second full recycling centre in the north of the city opened last week (30 October 2025);
- The Tolbooth roof and parapet works – repairs and conservation works to the external fabric of this grade A listed, early 17th Century building have been completed;
- Bairns’ Hoose – practical completion of the construction works was achieved in July 2025 with facility operating from early August. Partner organisations have also moved into the facility;
- Harlaw Road Pavilion – the main works procurement is currently underway with award planned for autumn 2025 and target completion is spring 2026. In advance of the main works, the existing pavilion has been demolished to remove health and safety concerns and clear the site for the new building;
- Bucksburn Swimming Pool – construction works started on 14 July 2025. The main contractor has advised recently that the procurement and manufacturing of the pool hall air handling unit is likely to delay the works with practical completion now likely to be achieved in spring 2026;
- The B999/Shielhill Road junction – the process to acquire land for the project is progressing including the Compulsory Purchase Order. With the detailed design being completed, public/private utility issues resolved, and environmental permits advanced, it is anticipated that the contract award will be spring 2026;
- Inchgarth Community Centre extension – now under construction to respond to the increase in demand for services and activities. The Council was successful in securing £1.9million from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in June 2023. Works started on site in April 2025 and are due for completion in spring 2026.
The report to committee said external pressures outwith the Council’s control can affect any of these building works and there is a significant risk that costs will increase for those projects under construction and also those in the future. These pressures include inflation, energy supply and cost, other historical factors such as Covid 19 impacts, war in Ukraine, Brexit, and a new risk of global trade wars.
