New Ellon office, family centre, and library named Formartine House

A new council office, family centre and library in Ellon has been named Formartine House, as building work progresses. 

The decision was made during a meeting of the Formartine Area Committee on Tuesday (Tue, Apr 30). 

Contractors Morrison Construction began work on the former Ellon Academy site in September last year, with the two-storey facility due to be completed in February next year. 

The building will feature a library and family resource centre, each with its own entrance, while the office area will house a registrar’s office, a ceremony room, a flexible meeting room to accommodate Formartine Area Committee meetings, and space for around 80 members of staff.

The internal layout of the energy-efficient building has been designed to be fully accessible and will feature a ‘Changing Places’ toilet facility that can be accessed from Bridge Street.

As part of consultation around the naming of the building, councillors for the Ellon and District council ward suggested the name ‘Formartine House’ be considered. Ythan Community Council, meanwhile, suggested ‘Ythan House’, given the river Ythan flows through the area. 

The area committee debated the two suggestions, considering potential clashes with the names of local buildings, before settling on ‘Formartine House’. 

Committee chair Cllr Iain Taylor said: “The committee had a healthy debate around the naming of the new facility, with strong cases made for the various options. 

“On balance, it was felt that the name Formartine House would help underline that the new facility has been created to support communities across the area, and we look forward to its completion.”

Committee vice-chair Cllr Andrew Hassan, who had proposed the name ‘The Formartine Building,’ said: “As well as giving the new building an identity, confirming a name will allow the council to start making arrangements for the likes of energy services to be connected.

“The new building will bring a variety of public services together on one site, making it an important hub for Ellon and communities across the area.”

The committee was told that work on the new facility is progressing well, with the main timber structure currently under construction, and the building expected to be wind and watertight in June. 

Formartine House in Ellon under construction (image courtesy of Morrison Construction).