Work to start on refurbishment of Pets’ Corner

10 October 2016

Work is to start on the £750,000 renovation and expansion of the aquarium of Pets’ Corner in a week, Aberdeen City Council announced today.

The work at the council-run facility includes a new larger area for the fish and reptiles and an education room, replacement of the roof over both parts of the buildings, internal alterations and refurbishment, new external access ramp and paths, and an upgrade to the staff facilities.

The major upgrade and refurbishment which is to start on October 17, was hailed as a boost for the park.

Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure vice convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “The revamp of Pets’ Corner will look fantastic when the building works are finished and the new facilities will make a huge difference.

“It has always been a popular facility particularly for families as many youngsters won’t have seen many of the animals live before, and the new additions will make it a really exciting place to go for people of all ages.

“I’m looking forward to watching the work at the site progress over the next few months and seeing the revamped building take shape.”

Donald Shaw, chairman of Friends of Hazlehead Park group which works with Aberdeen City Council to improve the facilities at the park and promote its attractions, said: “A refurbished and extended Pets’ Corner will be a boost as it will give people, and particularly families, a fantastic reason to visit the park and find out what a great park it is and what other facilities there are.

“It has been one of our priorities to improve Pets’ Corner and see it transform into an interpretive/educational centre for residents and visitors to the city - we’re delighted that work is starting very shortly and we’re excited to see the fantastic changes taking place.”

Pets’ Corner will close to the public on Sunday 16 October as the main contractor will take possession of the site on 17 October. The first phase, the new aquarium and reptile section, will be open to the public in late spring and the second phase, the education centre, will be several weeks afterwards.

The funding for the work was approved at the City Council’s Communities, Housing and Infrastructure August committee, and the main contractor is Burns Construction (Aberdeen) Ltd.

Animal attractions at Pets’ Corner include alpacas, kune kune pigs, geese, turkey, chickens, sheep, goats, Shetland pony, miniature donkeys, fish, reptiles, budgies, ducks, finches, chipmunks, guinea fowl, ferrets, rabbits, chinchilla, guinea pigs and Burmese python.