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Hotel? Health centre? Ice rink? Just what is the future of the old Ellon Academy?

Isobel Davidson at the former Ellon Academy,
Isobel Davidson at the former Ellon Academy,

An ice rink, a hotel and a modern health centre are among the ideas being considered for the future use of a former school in Aberdeenshire.

Pupils walked out of the doors of Ellon Academy for the last time in June and those returning to the classroom next month will do so in the town’s new £36million community campus at Cromleybank.

Locals will now be asked by the council to have their say on the future of the old building.

Among the suggestions from Ellon residents so far are turning it into a hotel, a health centre or leisure facilities such as an ice rink or an indoor bowling alley.

Ellon councillor, Isobel Davidson, said there would have to be an extensive community consultation before any plans are finalised.

She said: “There are lots of suggestions by the community. Certainly health facilities were something people were keen for and there was some talk about a new primary school as well.

“My personal evaluation is it is not the right place for another school at the moment.

“Some local people are keen to see more recreation facilities, indoor bowling or maybe an ice rink. Local folk have also suggested a hotel there. These are all suggestions.”

Chairman of the Ellon community council, Sandy McDougall, said deciding what to do with the old school was the “most important thing facing the town at the moment”.

He added: “We have recently done a survey of people in Ellon and most people say at the top of their list that there is a need for health centre facilities that are fit for purpose.

“That and leisure facilities have been the top two things. There is also scope for a hotel in Ellon.

“I think the key message we are getting from the community is that what they don’t want is high density housing.”

SNP Ellon councillor, Rob Merson, said: “We want as many ideas to come forward as possible.”

The council’s head of property, Allan Whyte, said: “We are currently going through a significant programme of investment in our school estate.

“This also results in disinvestment and any assets which then become surplus to requirements are disposed of in accordance with the council surplus property policy.

“This considers a number of options, primarily disposal by sale, and as with any major disposal of property assets, these options are then referred back to the relevant area and policy committees for consideration.”