A community initiative in one of Aberdeen’s most deprived areas has been awarded a £1.6million grant from the Scottish Government.
The funding will go towards the relocation of the Middlefield Community Project, which is being uprooted due to work on a link road intended to ease congestion at the Haudagain roundabout.
The new base will be next the Henry E Rae Community Centre building on Manor Avenue.
The Middlefield Community Project, which helps to tackle a shortage of childcare and encourage local people into employment, is one of 18 schemes across Scotland to benefit from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.
Announcing the funding, Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said the regeneration of disadvantaged communities was “a key priority” for the Scottish Government.
Mrs Burgess added: “Not only will these projects help transform neighbourhoods and deliver real benefits to local communities, but they will also contribute to stimulating economic growth by supporting and creating jobs.”
Aberdeen City Council’s vice-convener of communities, housing and infrastructure Gordon Graham said: “The project will be able to provide increased childcare places and wrap-around childcare, help create opportunities for pathways into employability and facilitate opportunities to bring people together.”
The existing Middlefield Community Project building on Logie Place is due to be demolished in 2016/17 to make way for the construction of the new Haudagain link road connecting North Anderson Drive with Auchmill Road.
The upgrade work is due to take place after the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is open, which is likely to be in spring 2018.