The idea’s had its ups and downs, but Aberdeen’s first trampoline park is set to spring to life in a derelict industrial building after councillors performed a u-turn yesterday.
Many city residents were angry when the local authority told the Jump In company they couldn’t build their facility at the former headquarters of AC Yule on the West Tullos Industrial Estate.
A petition was subsequently launched in support of the venture, which gained more than 2,300 signatures
The site’s out-of-town location was cited as one of the reasons for the proposal originally being rejected by Aberdeen City Council officers.
But yesterday, the city’s Local Review Body decided to approve the space which includes interconnected trampolines, a dedicated toddler jump space and a Gladiators-style battle beam subject to contributions towards roads and cycle infrastructure.
Members of the review body heard that the site had been vacant for five years and the plans would generate as many as 60 “non-oil related” jobs.
Planning officer Paul Williamson also told members all other trampoline parks were located on industrial estates.
Convener, Ramsay Milne, said the city had changed hugely over the years and ex-industrial sites were increasingly being used for leisure.
He declared: “At one time, we had car showrooms on Union Street….much has been made of the oil downturn and this particular property was empty even when there was an oil industry boom.
“This is the kind of facility that can have a useful future in the city.”
Committee member, Graeme Lawrence, also backed the initiative, saying he had heard of youth groups travelling to Glasgow to use the facilities there.
Fellow member, Alex Nicoll, added that go-kart tracks and indoor football pitches had been approved elsewhere in the city.
Gavin Lucas, the chief executive at Jump In, indicated work on the new facility should now progress quickly.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Jump In will be the company that will be serving the Aberdeen city area with this new facility.
“The level of engagement we have had from the people in the city has been fantastic and I think people feel this will be a really great community venue.”