McLaughlin and Harvey (McL&H) has started building a new £7.7 million community sports village in Banchory, Aberdeenshire.

The Banchory Sports Village scheme is being developed on vacant land to the north of Hill of Banchory Primary School. In addition 130 homes, a care village and shops are also being built on the site.

The sports centre will be a rectangular building extending nine metres high comprising a mixture of materials that match the nearby school. It will feature a six-lane swimming pool, training pool, three court sports hall, fitness suite, exercise room and squash courts, changing facilities, storage rooms, staff facilities, public viewing areas and a café.

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In addition, 103 car parking spaces will be developed, five of which will be for disability use. Other features will include five bicycle and three motorbike or moped spaces, along with a footpath linking the sports centre to the school.

Provost of Aberdeenshire, Cllr Bill Howatson, signalled the start of construction works at a special ground-breaking ceremony on Friday, 16 February.

Provost Howatson said: "It is absolutely fantastic that building has now begun on this much wanted state-of-the-art sports village in Banchory.

"I am sure that children and adults alike will enjoy visiting it once it has been built."

It is anticipated the sports centre will be officially open in May 2019.

(LM/MH)