A million-pound transformational project for a community facility has been given the green light to proceed.
Aberdeen City Council will work in partnership with Station House Media Unit [SHMU] to extend the existing community media hub in Woodside after members of the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee gave their seal of approval on April 19.
The facility at Station Road will undergo a makeover to the tune of £1m following a successful bid to the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and the grant has now formally been accepted.
The project will turn Station House into a cutting edge, internationally acclaimed centre for community media, enabling shmu to play a key role in the cultural development of the region; gain further recognition as a hub for employability and criminal justice programmes; as well as deliver a unique approach in community development and youth work across a range of communities.
Aberdeen City Council finance, policy and resources committee convener Councillor Willie Young said: “Innovative community facilities like shmu help to shape Aberdeen for the benefit of all residents and it is important their successes are met with investment.
“We are proud to be able to collaborate with these new and extensive improvements which will further their ambitions for dedicated outreach and inclusion programmes and offer even more support to the areas within which they work.”
The purpose-built accommodation will be adjoining the existing Station House Media Unit building and will lead to at least a 100% increase in usable activity space.
It is anticipated the extended building will feature fit for purpose radio studios to accommodate the organisations FM community radio station, a TV studio for live broadcasting, a music recording studio, digital editing facility and a digital learning centre.
Amenities such as additional office space, a new multi-purpose community/social space including a small scale performance area offering work experience will also form part of the extension plans.
Welcoming the news of the grant award shmu chief executive Murray Dawson said: “We are absolutely delighted with this grant award. Our five-year strategic plan, developed three years ago, set an aspiration to operate out of state of the art, fit for purpose facilities. This grant award will turn that vision into reality and will provide a fantastic boost to all of our volunteers, service users and staff.
We have delivered exceptional programmes and services for more than 15 years from a relatively poor facility base. The prospect of operating from a building designed specifically for our programmes, in conjunction with our stakeholders, is a really exciting proposition.”