Plans for a new £18.2m aquatics centre as part of the Aberdeen Sports Village development have taken a step forward after Graham Construction was appointed to build the complex.

Designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects, the Aberdeen Aquatics Centre will comprise a ten-lane, 50m swimming pool with a dividing boom and a part-floating floor. A 25m x 16.5m diving pool, fitted with water cushioning systems and an adjustable floor, is also planned, along with a timing and video analysis lab, a health suite and spectator seating.

Davis Langdon has already been appointed to project manage the scheme, which is designed to build on the success of the £28m regional sports centre opened at the site in 2009. Aberdeen Sports Village Aquatics Working Group chair Nick Dalgarno said: "We can now commence on the detailed planning with the design team and contractor with a view to starting work on site later in the summer."

Planning permission has already been granted for the complex, which will be located on the site of the former Linksfield Academy. The build process will take 112 weeks to complete.