Councillors are expected to back a £3million-plus funding package for the expansion of a north-east special-needs school today.
They have already voiced their support for the creation of a family centre and a major upgrade at Westfield School in Fraserburgh.
Members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Banff and Buchan area committee will be asked to approve projected construction costs of more than £1.9million for the new centre.
The lowest tender for the work – of almost £1.5million – was received from AD Walker, while other associated costs will increase the price tag to £1.9million.
Members will also be asked to allow officers to put a further £1.5million of work out to tender for upgrades to the existing building.
Fraserburgh and District councillor Charles Buchan said: “I wholeheartedly welcome these proposals as I think they fit extremely well with the ongoing efforts to regenerate Fraserburgh.”
The council approved a £3.7million plan in 2012 to create a family centre at Westfield and carry out an upgrade of the school building.
But construction firms who submitted tenders for the work in the summer warned that the project, as it stood, was likely to go significantly over budget.
The local authority then decided to revise its plan and shelve proposals for an upgrade to the school.
In November, members of the area committee gave their approval for work on the family centre to be carried out as a stand-alone project.
The scheme will require the demolition of the school’s home economics wing to allow for work inside the existing building.
The school upgrade, which was included in the original plan, is now under review, and could be completed in the future.
A council spokesman said: “Work including improving accessibility within the existing school and a general upgrade to pupil facilities is programmed to be tendered later in 2014 once the re-roofing of the school is complete.”