Union Terrace Gardens WILL be open by Christmas
Supply chain issues have delayed its opening
Union Terrace Gardens will be open to the public this month, after months of delays.
Council leaders had previously hoped to have it open by the end of the year, but a report going to councillors at next week's Finance and Resources Committee confirms that it will be open over the festive period.
Convener of the Capital Programmes Committee at Aberdeen City Council, Christian Allard, had previously said that the project was a "huge problem".
And his remarks were echoed by Co-Leader of the council, Ian Yuill, who said that he was "frustrated" by continuous delays to the gardens.
But eight months after the former administration cancelled a 'soft' opening of them, "the expectation is that practical completion will be achieved prior to Christmas", according to the report.
It's been delayed due to supply chain issues and the pandemic, but the gardens won't be fully completed this year.
The central lawn area isn't going to get laid for two of reasons, according to the report.
"1. The current time of year (wet and frosty) is not ideal for placing grass turf for lawn establishment purposes; and
"2. The forthcoming Spectra lightshow event in February 2023 will have exhibits located within the central lawn area. This in turn will attract a significant footfall across the lawn.
"As the new turf will not be laid in December 2022, it is recommended that post the Spectra event and following any remedial ground works required, the final turf will be laid to complete the central lawn, assuming the weather conditions are favourable.
"The public will be advised to stay off the new turfed lawn for a number of weeks to enable the new turf to become established.
"Bearing in mind the above, the expectation is that practical completion will be achieved prior to Christmas thereby allowing the garden to be open to the public."