Dear customer,
I am writing to let you know that, as you may already be aware, Aberdeen City Council confirmed yesterday that it is reducing our funding support by £687,000 and to explain the impact this will have for you, our valued customer.
Our Board of Directors met yesterday to assess how to respond to this significant reduction in funding. It was clear to the trustees that the scale of this financial challenge, coupled with energy price increases, meant that the only way to protect the long-term interests of the charity was to reduce the number of facilities that we operate.
After careful appraisal of all of our facilities, looking at both the operation and maintenance costs, as well as the condition and future of the venues, the board reluctantly came to the conclusion that we will be unable to operate the Beach Leisure Centre and Bucksburn Swimming Pool beyond Sunday 16 April 2023, when both venues will close to the public.
Our Chairman, Tony Dawson has asked me to share the below statement with you:
“In December last year, our Managing Director Alistair Robertson met with council co-leaders, the chief executive and service directors and was informed of the financial pressures facing local government across Scotland. As a council owned company, it was inevitable that Sport Aberdeen was invited to be part of the discussion and asked what it could do to help the council in this most difficult of circumstances.
“Given the scale of financial challenge, coupled with energy price increases, it was made clear that in the event of a significant funding reduction we would be unable to sustain all the services and facilities we operate.
“Both parties reluctantly accepted that in such a circumstance it would be necessary to cease the operation of Beach Leisure Centre and Bucksburn Swimming Pool, and base future provision at the remaining leisure assets in the city.
“We are already working to minimise the impact on our customers and staff as best we can and I have requested that our Managing Director investigate, as a priority, the feasibility of increasing access at Dyce Academy swimming pool. It would be our intention to move as many of our lessons there as possible to meet the significant demand that exists.
“Our immediate priority has been to reassure staff that their jobs are safe and that everyone will be offered roles at our other venues. We are in the process of contacting our valued customers to make them aware of our other facilities where they can continue to get active.”
Cllr Alex Nicoll, Aberdeen City Council co-leader commented;
“It is well known that the Beach Leisure Centre is at the end of its lifecycle, which is why we are planning for a new facility as part of the Beachfront Master Plan. The leisure pool closed last year due to a combination of rising energy costs and problems with the pool plant infrastructure, and it is simply uneconomical to carry on. The council will arrange for the building to be taken down and the site cleared to make way for future developments.”
In the case of Bucksburn Swimming Pool, in a joint statement Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen confirmed that;
“Unfortunately, there are significant issues with Bucksburn Swimming Pool plant, linked to the age of the facility, which would cost over £400,000 to address. In the current environment that is just not feasible. In addition, yesterday the Council confirmed in its 2023/2024 budget a commitment of £13million to expand Bucksburn Academy in order to accommodate an increasing school roll, which means that the site of the pool is needed to create space for additional school buildings.”
What will happen to my membership?
Your swim and fitness membership is still valid and can be used at all of our pools and gyms across the city. We will support all of our members through this transition and we will send a further update very soon, with information on alternative venues which are nearby so that you can keep getting active with us.
What will happen to my swimming lessons?
Your direct debit payments will be frozen from the start of May while we work to relocate our lessons programme. Lessons due to take place in the second half of April will be credited when lessons restart at a different venue and any outstanding top-up balances will remain in credit. Our team are working very hard to review the lessons programme, and unfortunately cannot take any requests to move lessons for the moment. We will support all of our valued customers through this change as best we can and will be in touch with you with further information and next steps very soon.
I know that this is an extremely disappointing outcome and I assure you that this decision was not taken lightly. Everyone at Sport Aberdeen remains committed to providing the best sport and physical activity experiences for our customers and we will do all we can to support you over the coming weeks as we move through these changes together.
Best wishes,
Alistair Robertson
Managing Director
We are truly saddened at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and send our condolences to the Royal Family, and to all across the UK and wider Commonwealth at this time.
Information on how the City of Aberdeen will mourn her passing can be found here.
Please note that all Sport Aberdeen venues will be closed on Monday 19 September in recognition of Her Majesty’s State Funeral.
Sport Aberdeen was crowned winner of the ‘Community Impact’ award at last night’s Elevator Awards ceremony, recognising the registered charity’s commitment to giving back to the local community and its contribution to society.
In front of a packed audience at Ardoe House Hotel, Sport Aberdeen’s targeted community initiatives including its SPACE programme (working with care experienced children and young people) and Active Lifestyles programme (supporting individuals with long term health conditions) were highlighted.
Presenting the award, Polly Barnfield OBE, CEO of category sponsor Maybe* said:
“All of the submissions were very strong, detailing a broad range of activity and engagement. Sport Aberdeen ultimately demonstrated the strongest collective community impact over a very challenging period for both the business and the wider community, as well as exciting and wide-ranging plans for the future.”
Graeme Dale, Sport Aberdeen Head of Sport and Active Communities, commented:
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition for the work that we do. What sets Sport Aberdeen apart from other leisure providers is that every penny we make is reinvested back into our local communities. This means that we can work with specific groups to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability or background, can experience the positive, life changing impact of participation in sport and physical activity. I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the partner organisations that we work with who help to support these projects, and our staff right across the charity who work tirelessly to create opportunities, inspire people and change lives.”
Pictured (Left – Right): Alistair Robertson, Managing Director; Andrinne Craig, Healthy Communities Manager; Mark Durden-Smith, Elevator Awards Host; Kim McRobbie, Inclusion Manager; Sarah Gray, Head of Marketing & Commercial Development; Gary McEwan, Elevator Chief Executive.
At the most recent meeting of Sport Aberdeen’s board of directors, the decision was reluctantly taken to temporarily decommission the leisure pool at Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre. This will take effect towards the end of August, with the pool open throughout the school summer holidays. The rest of the centre will remain fully operational.
Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, Alistair Robertson, stated;
“Sadly, the company is facing unprecedented and unsustainable rises in energy costs which are approaching £0.5million and the board had to take action to protect the rest of our network of sports centres and swimming pools. It is widely known that the flume slides and wave machine features have continually failed to the point that they are no longer operable.
“Leisure operators throughout the UK are facing a crisis with many swimming pools closing because of rising energy costs. We have not taken this decision lightly, however with Get active @ Northfield due to open late summer we know we will be able to move the vast majority of our programme of swimming lessons to other pools across the city. All staff affected will have their jobs secured at other venues and the management team is working hard to ensure that there is a smooth transition of lessons to other facilities.
“We will review the position in the spring with the hope that the situation will have eased and we will be able to reopen the pool at that time. We very much look forward to the ongoing development of the Beachfront Masterplan and the new leisure offer that this will bring.”
Councillor Alex Nicoll, co-leader of Aberdeen City Council commented;
“We fully appreciate the pressures facing Sport Aberdeen and everyone else who runs swimming pools across the city. We understand that this is a pragmatic decision in exceptional times. If energy pressures ease, we hope that the pool will reopen in the spring.”
All participants in the Learn to Swim programme based at Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre have been contacted directly to advise that the learn to swim team is working very hard to plan the reallocation of all swimming lessons which are running at Get active @ Beach Leisure Centre to other pools in the city. We will be in touch with participants again later this month to begin the process of relocating lessons.
Further information on the impact of the energy crisis on the leisure industry can be found here.
A radical transformation is set to take place to convert former Dyce Library into a vibrant new sports clubhouse, providing first-class facilities to support the adjacent Dyce sports pitches.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen is leading the project on behalf of Aberdeen City Council and Dyce Boys Club F.C., after ownership of the former library was transferred over to the charity.
Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen have made a £300,000 investment in the refurbishment works – carried out by KW Contractors and scheduled to begin imminently.
The investment will allow a venue to be created which will become a community sports hub, providing much-needed changing, meeting and storage facilities for players, officials and referees.
Current users of the sports pitches as well as the wider Dyce community will reap the benefits of the new changing space by the end of summer when the works are due for completion.
“I’m delighted that Sport Aberdeen is leading this innovative project and has come up with an imaginative way to make good use of the former library facility.
“The new sports clubhouse will be a sustainable facility and we look forward to working with key project partners Dyce Boys Club F.C. and Dyce Rugby Club to give them a place to call home.”
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen chairman
Councillor Jenny Laing, Aberdeen City Council Leader, said: “The transformation of the former library site will encourage people to make full use of the nearby sports pitches and enjoy the modern facilities.
“I am sure the improved facilities will become even more of a focal point for the community, and as a council we are delighted to be promoting leisure activity and the wider benefits that brings.”
Len Nicol, Treasurer and Coach at Dyce Boys Club FC, said: “Dyce Boys Club FC is looking forward to this much needed facility which will compliment the already established 3G pitch.”
Image: Taking advantage of the space before the renovation are L-R Zack Mournian and Ryan Nicol players for Dyce Boys Club FC-both 12 YO watched by Councillor Jenny Laing-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, Len Nicol-Treasurer and Coach at Dyce Boys Club FC and Tony Dawson- Sport Aberdeen chairman
The Northfield community will soon have access to one of the best health and wellbeing facilities of its kind in the city, with progress well underway for the revamp of the former Northfield Swimming Pool, based at Kettlehills Crescent.
Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen secured sportscotland’s highest value grant of £100,000 to bring this project to life.
Stewart Harris, chief executive at sportscotland, said: “It’s terrific to see the progress on Northfield Pool. This will be a fantastic asset for the local community, and a great addition to the sports facilities on offer across Aberdeen.
“We are delighted to work in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen to help make this project a reality. By combining our expertise and resources, we are able to target investment where it will have a real impact. It is thanks to National Lottery, which raises £30 million a week for Good Causes, that we are able to invest in projects like the Northfield Pool, providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity.”
Now over halfway through the construction programme which commenced in September 2021 by CHAP Group, the new venue – Get active @ Northfield – is on target to open late summer 2022.
In addition to the swimming pool, the venue will boast a large, fully accessible changing village, 40-station fitness suite, multi-purpose studio, dry changing facilities, clinical suites for use by NHS Grampian and ample car and cycle parking.
“We are really looking forward to the doors opening at Get active @ Northfield.
“It is fantastic for us to receive endorsement from sportscotland and we are delighted that Sport Aberdeen is a trusted partner to deliver this project effectively.
“We know this will be an impressive venue for the Northfield community to enjoy and hope that individuals of all ages and abilities will feel inspired to get active and make use of the variety of facilities.”
Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen chairman
Councillor Jenny Laing, Aberdeen City Council Leader, said: “Aberdeen City Council is proud to be working with partners to deliver a pool and fitness centre that will benefit not just the people of Northfield and Mastrick but communities across the city.
“The investment is line with our commitment to providing opportunities to improve physical and mental health, and in addition it will better position the facility to be financially self-sustaining in the future.”
Image: L-R Grant Duncan, Senior Project Manager, sportscotland, Councillor Jenny Laing – Leader of Aberdeen City Council and Tony Dawson, Chairman, Sport Aberdeen
We are pleased to share that tree clearance works began at the MacKenzie Championship Golf Course on Monday 17 January, once the required license was granted by Scottish Forestry. This was necessary due to the sheer volume of tree damage and the scope of work required to remedy this.
The initial focus will be on clearing the trees from the MacKenzie Course and then undertaking a selective programme of tree thinning around the tees and greens on both the MacKenzie and Pines courses
While matting has been hired as a protective measure, it is likely there will still be some degree of damage to the course caused by these works. This is due to the ad-hoc nature of the tree damage and the movement of machinery around the site being more complex. Please be assured that any resultant damage will be addressed, and the course fully reinstated as a priority once the tree works are complete.
In addition to the tree works, the drainage improvement programme on the MacKenzie Course will begin week commencing 24 January. This had been delayed as a result of Storm Arwen, the festive holidays and latterly Covid-19. It is likely that drainage on the 8th,14th, 15th and 16th holes will be completed first which will allow the trees on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 17th holes to be cleared for work to start on these holes. Turf, as opposed to re-seeding, will be used to ‘make good’ the areas impacted by this work and should help with the bedding in and re-establishment process post completion.
Lastly, we are pleased to report that excellent progress has been made on the tee levelling and general improvement work being undertaken on both the MacKenzie Course and The Pines, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to investing in the courses.
We are grateful for your continued patience and understanding while these works are undertaken. We look forward to works being completed smoothly and welcoming you back to fully reinstated and improved courses in time for spring / in a matter of weeks.
If you have any queries, please contact golf@sportaberdeen.co.uk where the team will be happy to help
It is fair to say that the level of tree damage at Hazlehead is unprecedented and the storm impacted on many courses in the north-east of Scotland. The damage is particularly extensive on the MacKenzie Championship Course with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 17th and 18th holes being the most affected. The amount of work required on the MacKenzie course means the approach to tackling the tree damage is more complex and needs greater consideration and planning.
However, we are pleased to share that Hazlehead Pines is back to the full 18-holes, weather permitting, with final tidying to be carried out during week commencing 20 December.
MacKenzie Championship Remedial Works
Further updates on the works required on the MacKenzie Championship Course will be provided in the near future. We hope that the actions we are taking demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the courses and getting 18-holes back in play at the earliest possible opportunity.
Any queries can be directed to golf@sportaberdeen.co.uk where the team will be happy to respond.
Work is to start on the transformation of an Aberdeen swimming pool that will include a gym and wellness centre and combine with other amenities to create a new community sports hub.
CHAP Group has been appointed by Aberdeen City Council (ACC) to carry out the £4.8 million refurbishment of Northfield Swimming Pool following a competitive tendering exercise. The work is being funded by ACC with significant support from Sport Aberdeen, which operates the city’s leisure venues, as well as from sportscotland.
The council-owned facility was built in 1996 and comprises a traditional 25-metre six-lane tank.
The pool closed due to equipment failures and as part of the contract significant elements of the mechanical and electrical plant will be replaced along with fixtures and fittings. In addition, the new facility will include:
- A larger, fully accessible changing village;
- Group changing and family changing;
- 40-station fitness suite;
- Multi-purpose studio;
- Dry changing facilities;
- Clinical suites for use by NHS Grampian;
- Additional car and cycle parking.
The business case was approved by the City Growth and Resources Committee but the plan had to be put on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions.
Councillor Gordon Graham, vice convener of Capital Programme Committee, said: “To be progressing with the build is fantastic news for both the local community and Aberdeen as a whole.
“Together with Sport Aberdeen the council is committing a very significant financial investment to deliver a state-of-the-art health, fitness and sport hub. In addition to technical upgrades to the pool itself, the new facilities will provide an exciting wellness centre for the local communities of Northfield and Mastrick, and people across the city.
“The new dry facilities will greatly broaden its appeal, increase income, and so help make the pool more financially self-sustaining long into the future.”
Sport Aberdeen has been awarded funding of £100,000 from sportscotland, Scotland’s national sporting body, to support the project – the maximum amount awarded for capital projects.
We look forward to delivering this fantastic venue for the Northfield community, creating the opportunity for more people of all ages and abilities to access first class sport and physical activity facilities.
Tony Dawson, Chairman
Sport Aberdeen chairman Tony Dawson said: “We are delighted to reach this significant milestone in the refurbishment and expansion of Northfield Swimming Pool.
“Along with our partners at Aberdeen City Council, we have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to ensure this project has kept momentum over the last, very challenging year.
“The support of sportscotland, by way of a significant funding grant, is very gratefully received and we look forward to delivering this fantastic venue for the Northfield community, creating the opportunity for more people of all ages and abilities to access first class sport and physical activity facilities.”
Stewart Harris, chief executive, sportscotland, said: “This is a fantastic example of partnership working where, by combining our resources, we can make a real impact where it matters. That’s why we were delighted to provide support and investment to Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen to help make this project a reality.
“It is thanks to funding from the National Lottery, which raises £36 million a week for Good Causes, that we are able to invest in projects like the Northfield Pool. This development will provide more opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity right at the heart of the communities where they live.”
The pool is expected to open in summer 2022.
Hugh Craigie, Managing Director at CHAP Group, said: “CHAP Group are pleased to have been awarded the upgrade project at Northfield Swimming Pool. The planned upgrades and extension to the existing facilities will rejuvenate Northfield Swimming Pool and bring the amenity up to date. We look forward to working alongside Aberdeen City Council and Sport Aberdeen to deliver this exciting project.”
The site is next to a recently completed third generation 3G artificial turf pitch at Northfield Academy, and a sports centre comprising bowling greens and tennis courts. Part of the project will involve landscaping to connect these facilities.
Pictured: (left to right) Sport Aberdeen board chairman Tony Dawson; Sport Aberdeen managing director Alistair Robertson; Councillor Gordon Graham; and Ron Liddell, CHAP construction director.
Registered charity Sport Aberdeen took the top spot in the Team Aberdeen category at last night’s HEART Awards (Thursday 3 December), an annual event organised by Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, recognising people working and volunteering in health and social care in Aberdeen.
The Active Lifestyles programme, run by Sport Aberdeen, won the ‘Team Aberdeen Integrated Working’ award at a virtual ceremony following the postponement of the awards evening in March.
The programme provides inclusive opportunities for everyone to get active and participate in physical activity regardless of whether they are starting out, recovering from injury, living with a long-term health condition or are older adults.
Sport Aberdeen was nominated for the award by colleagues in the NHS CAARS (community adult assessment and rehabilitation service) team for the way in which the charity works collaboratively with them and service users on a range of co-produced projects.
Sport Aberdeen have been heavily involved in several joint initiatives and projects over recent years, of note, the co-design and delivery of the Carer’s Stable and Able Group which runs on a weekly basis with support from NHS occupational therapy staff.
Part of Sport Aberdeen’s Active Lifestyles programme, Carers Exercise classes were developed in response to a need for ongoing support for carers and those being cared for, as identified by NHS Grampian colleagues.
Working in partnership with participants, the organisations developed parallel classes which allow both carers and cared for to participate at the same time, mitigating anxieties around leaving loved ones alone and allowing for more people to improve health and wellbeing, reducing risk of a fall and the potential for re-referral back to stretched NHS services.
Andrinne Craig, Sport Aberdeen Healthy Communities Manager said:
“This award really highlights that by working collaboratively we can change people lives through the many projects, services and programmes that we deliver and is testament to the incredible work that is carried out by the Active Lifestyles team year after year.
“I am thrilled that we have been named ‘Team Aberdeen’ and would like to congratulate all the other nominees and winners from this year’s HEART Awards. I would also like to thank our valued partners at NHS CAARS for nominating us for this award. It really is fantastic to see the sheer amount of partnership working that is carried out in the north-east, and I am proud that Sport Aberdeen can play a key role in this.”
“Sport Aberdeen certainly embody the values of the partnership and are prepared to go that “extra mile” to make collaborative working with them so seamless.”
Sandra MacLeod, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership
Speaking at the virtual ceremony, Sandra MacLeod, Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership Chief Officer said:
“The team at Sport Aberdeen have made every effort to work in partnership with many different teams in Aberdeen but have certainly become an important and consistent partner to AHP’s working within the partnership. This is reflected in the reciprocal referrals that are regularly made between the services and the confidence with which these referrals are made.
“Sport Aberdeen certainly embody the values of the partnership and are prepared to go that “extra mile” to make collaborative working with them so seamless.”