Construction on the £23m Regional Sports Centre in Aberdeen is set to begin later this year after proposals were approved by council planners.

One of six regional centres planned for Scotland, the facility is being funded by the University of Aberdeen (£8m), the City Council (£8m) and sportscotland (£7m).

The 18,430sq m (198,000sq ft) centre will be located next to the existing 400m outdoor athletics track and will include an indoor athletics centre with a sprint track, high jump, long jump and throw areas.

Other facilities include a full-size indoor football pitch, a fully equipped health and fitness centre and dance studio.

The facility was designed by Reiach & Hall and Driver Jonas has been appointed as project manager.

The 5.25-hectare site is owned by the city council and existing facilities include the Chris Anderson stadium, an all-weather synthetic hockey pitch and a grass football pitch.

Construction will begin by the end of summer and the centre is due to open in early 2009. Details: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk