The replacement of two greenhouses at Duthie Park's David Welch Winter Gardens will form the first phase of improvement work at the popular attraction.

Work to remove the old glass and wood structures, located off the Victorian corridor, started on Monday [31 October] and has been made possible through the generosity of the late Lorna Doreen Russell who bequeathed £834,000 to the park.

Mrs Russell, who lived at Banks O' Dee nursing home, had a great fondness for the Winter Gardens and, with her husband, spent many happy hours there. She died in April 2009, making the City Council a beneficiary of her estate, for the sole purpose of "extending, improving or otherwise refurbishing that part of the Duthie Park known as the Winter Gardens or providing further facilities at the park".

Aberdeen City Council facility manager Alan Findlay said: "I am delighted that this project has got under way and I am very much looking forward to seeing the finished article which, I am sure, will be a great addition to the park. It is an exciting time for the park with various projects in the pipeline, many of which have been made possible through Mrs Russell's generosity. We are confident all the improvements will not only make Mrs Russell proud but the city as a whole."

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Councillors on the Housing and Environment Committee were presented with a progress report on Mrs Russell's bequest proposals on 01 November.

Committee convener Councillor Aileen Malone welcomed news of the first project getting under way. She said: "Duthie Park has a special place in the hearts of many local folk and it is fantastic that a project made possible by Mrs Russell's benevolence is taking shape. It is projects like these that help the park flourish and ensure that this popular attraction is safeguarded for future generations."

Tony Dawson, chairman of the Friends of Duthie Park group said: "The Friends of Duthie Park are delighted at news of this positive step forward and will be excited to see the greenhouse project completed. One of the completed greenhouses will be used for educational purposes and will provide a great resource for schoolchildren."

The greenhouses which will be replaced were installed in the 1920s but have fallen into disrepair in recent years and have been closed to the public. It is hoped the new structures will be in place by Christmas and are expected to be fully opened to the public by February. There will be some disruption to public access in the Victorian corridor during the work but it is expected to be open during weekends.

Robertson Construction Eastern was awarded the contract for the greenhouses project, which is expected to cost £297,389. Mrs Russell's bequest will also fund the refurbishment of the two play areas in the park, the creation of a new play area in the south-east corner, reorganisation of the restaurant and shop area and improvements to the raised bed courtyard area in the Winter Gardens. There are also plans to install a plaque in Mrs Russell's honour.

(GK)