Windows have been smashed on the premises on two separate occasions, with the most recent panel on the front of the building being broken over this weekend (9th-10th December).
The registered charity today appealed to the local community to contact them with any information around what it described as a “very rare” incident of vandalism at the centre.
The cost to repair the two windows is estimated to be around £1,500.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen Director for Operations and Asset Development Keith Gerrard said:
“Windows have been smashed on two separate occasions, with the most recent incident taking place between the 9th and 10th December.
“This is a very rare incident of vandalism and only the second time something of this nature has occurred at Torry Sports Centre since it opened ten years ago. The centre is a cherished service in the community and many will share our disappointment at the extent of damage caused.
“Police Scotland and Aberdeen City Council have been notified and City Wardens will be increasing patrols in the area. Sport Aberdeen would urge anyone with any information regarding the incident to contact Police Scotland on 101.”
The key aim of this organisation is to help fleet operations and company vehicles to improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions and make cost savings.
The initiative was launched earlier this month where we attended and received our ECO Stars certificate. This is another brilliant opportunity for Sport Aberdeen to move towards a greener working ethos and help to promote fleet and vehicle efficiency. Sara Montgomery, from the marketing team, was present at the official launch to receive the certification on behalf of Sport Aberdeen.
The Aberdeen City and Shire scheme was set up in May 2016 and operates in partnership with the North East Transport Partnership (NESTRANS). The scheme will help reduce emissions across the north east area and encourage more organisations to actively take part.
Keith Gerrard, Director of Operations and Asset Development, commented on Sport Aberdeen’s involvement with the scheme:
“Sport Aberdeen currently owns three environmentally friendly vans which improve efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and make cost savings. We have introduced lighting upgrades and environmental management training for venue managers alongside signing up to the cycle to work scheme, encouraging staff to use greener travel options.”
“This is part of our wider carbon management plan which aims to build a greener, more sustainable approach to our estate and procedures. Road transport is one of the main causes of air pollution in our cities and accounts for over one quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Aberdeen City and Shire ECO Stars Fleet Recognition Scheme is a great example of how we can work in partnership to meet our green commitments, hopefully inspiring people to consider ways in which we can all play a part in reducing carbon emissions.”
The “virtual activity zone” is part of extensive modernisation works taking place at the Jesmond Sports Centre in the Bridge of Don area of Aberdeen.
Opening in early January 2017, 3D camera sensors, wireless technologies and interactive screens will be used to encourage more people to take part in sport and physical activity.
The development works also include a expanded state-of-the-art 70 station gym, an immersive spin studio, a new aerobics studio and a complete refresh to the building.
Revealing the plans, Sport Aberdeen today said the overhaul underlines its commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
Commenting, Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Operations and Asset Developmont, Keith Gerrard said:
“These exciting plans for the Jesmond Sports Centre will deliver a state-of-the-art health and wellness experience. The virtual activity zone will complement the state-of-the-art 70 station gym, aerobics studio and major development work to the building.
“Far from being a futuristic dream, virtual technologies are very much a part of our everyday lives. Integrating gaming technologies into a gym environment opens up another world of possibilities to encourage more people to get active.
“While sports participation continues to increase among adults and children in Aberdeen, we still have a long way to go towards living healthier, more active lives. The innovative virtual gym offers a more engaging experience, particularly to those who might be discouraged from attending a traditional gym.”
Outlining the plans for the Jesmond Sports Centre, Mr Gerrard announced that the modernised venue will re-open its doors to customers early next year:
“The modernisation of the Jesmond Sports Centre underlines our commitment to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from our customers throughout this process, and look forward to unveiling the results when we re-open the doors in January 2017.”
The event will be structured across a whole day, and allowing for drop in attendance throughout the day.
Active Travel Hub innovation day – Saturday 10th December
0900 – 1600
Bridge of Don Academy, Aberdeen, AB22 8RR
What does the day involve?
The event is a great opportunity for those interested in active travel to explore the development of a specific hub to promote active and sustainable travel within Aberdeen.
The day will involve:
- Identification of potential opportunities or problems relating to the sitting and functionality of an active travel hub in the Bridge of Don area.
- Group idea generation session to address each of these areas employing a variety of appropriate techniques in order to generate the best ideas possible.
- Team and group work to explore each idea – developing these to envision what future states might be.
- Iterative development of prototype ‘solutions’.
- Catering (teas, coffee, juices, snacks during the morning and afternoon and a sandwich / pizza lunch) for all participants.
How do I sign up?
Please register your interest via event brite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/active-travel-hub-innovation-day-tickets-29474133928
For more detail on the event please contact Susan Fraser, Project Development Manager, Sport Aberdeen sufraser@sportaberdeen.co.uk
The chair of Scotland’s national agency for sport visited award-winning charitable leisure trust Sport Aberdeen last week.
Mel Young, who was appointed as Chair of sportscotland in February this year, was given a tour of sports facilities across the city by Sport Aberdeen’s Managing Director Alistair Robertson.
During the visit, Mr Young also met with Sport Aberdeen’s Director of Sports and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell, to learn more about the organisations efforts towards creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
Recently, Sport Aberdeen announced a range of specialist aquatics programmes to enable more people to take part in physical activity and sport. It is part of a wider effort to develop activities for individuals and groups who find regular services difficult to access.
Speaking after the visit, Alistair Robertson said it was a great opportunity to highlight the breadth of programmes delivered by Sport Aberdeen:
“From founding the Homeless World Cup to co-founding the Big Issue, Mel Young has considerable experience of driving forward sports and physical activity programmes which can change lives.
“It was great that the team at Sport Aberdeen had the opportunity to host the sportscotland Chair and share what they are doing.
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity. Engaging with national organisations, such as sportscotland, is an important opportunity for us to share our own good practice and indeed learn about what else we can do to increase participation in sport.”
Mel Young commented that he was extremely impressed with the breadth of imaginative programmes, adding that it was clear that the staff have a passion for what they are doing.
A new swimming initiative has been launched to support people living with dementia remain an “active part of their community.”
We are launching a new dementia-friendly swimming session which offers a supportive environment for people with dementia to swim with a family member, friend or carer.
It follows a successful trial session as part of Aberdeen’s 2016 Golden Games, where older people take part in a range of physical activities over two weeks. One family member who took part said she felt she “had her mum back” during the swim.
Swimming is great for overall physical and mental health, but can also help improve mood, increase confidence, improve cognition and help maintain independence with daily living tasks through improved flexibility and strength.
A swimming instructor will be available during these swim sessions for skills or water confidence support as required.
Sarah Geoghegan, Dementia Adviser for Alzheimer Scotland said:
“It’s fantastic to see this kind of initiative being set up. Often it requires only a few small changes to make an activity or service more accessible to people living with dementia and their families, but this can have a big impact on maintaining their health, wellbeing and independence, enabling them to remain an active part of their community.”
Paula Bisset, Development Officer (Active Lifestyles) for Sport Aberdeen added:
“It’s great that we were able to trial a dementia-friendly swim as part of the Golden Games. Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy an active lifestyle. We hope these regular sessions will enable more people living with dementia to enjoy swimming in a supportive environment.”
Sport Aberdeen’s new Dementia Friendly Swimming Session will take place at Tullos Swimming Pool, on Fridays 1530-1615, starting on the 28th October.A swimming instructor will be available during these swim sessions for skills or water confidence support as required. Tullos Swimming Pool has a changing village with mixed male/female changing and private family-size cubicles. Sessions must block booked in advance, at £25 for 10 sessions, which will allow the booked swimmer plus one family member, friend or carer to be in the pool. Sessions can be booked direct with Aquatics Aberdeen on 0845 601 3611 Option 1.
Enter the 2017 race here between Friday the 28th and Monday the 31st of October to be automatically entered into the prize draw.
The winner will be picked on Tuesday the 1st of November.
Good luck!
The “reckless vandalism” of a community site puts at risk the public safety of local school children and resulted in thousands of pounds of repairs.
It comes after Sport Aberdeen replaced six sections of a fence at Albury Sports Centre after vandals again forced entry to the playing fields. The incident took place only two months after a previous section was fixed.
Sport Aberdeen was made aware of the latest incident via a tweet issued by a member of the public on September 30th. The damage occurred outwith routine inspections of the site and the immediate steps were taken by the leisure trust to the make the fence safe.
The works cost a total of £2,555.00 to replace the six sections of the fence.
Since taking over the management of Albury in July 2010, Sport Aberdeen has spent a considerable sum of money fixing parts of the fence which have been vandalised in an effort to gain access to the facility.
Director for Operations and Asset Development, Keith Gerrard said:
“Whilst Sport Aberdeen has a programme of routine maintenance for wear and tear, it does not allocate for incidents of vandalism. It is disappointing that this took place only two months after one section was last fixed.
“This reckless vandalism is costly and unsightly, and more importantly poses a real risk to the health and safety of the local community – particularly those attending the primary school next door.
We are grateful to the continued support of the community in bringing these incidents to our attention.”
Sport Aberdeen has vowed to expand access to sporting opportunities and has set out a range of steps it plans to take to ensure its services are accessible for people with autism. as Aberdeen seeks to become Scotland’s first autism friendly city.
These include:
- New autism friendly family swimming sessions
- Autism friendly virtual tours of venues
- Staff training
- Adoption of the Active Aberdeen Partnership’s aim to be inclusive
We plan to run an eight week pilot for a new autism friendly swimming session at the end of this month. This will be a swimming session for families with a child who has autism. Whilst the sessions will not be lessons, a swimming teacher will be on hand to do some activities with the children and give hints, tips and signposting into learn to swim across the City.
Careful considerations have been made whilst planning for these sessions including; staff training, the filming of a virtual tour to help swimmers familiarise with the facilities before they attend, and purchasing some specialist resources. Tullos Pool has been chosen to host these sessions because of its layout which offers communal changing, group and family changing areas and a quiet space for any participants who wish to take some time out from the session. The session takes place at a quiet time and considerations will be given to noise levels and music to help provide an inclusive environment.
Commenting, Director for Sport and Active Lifestyles, Jo Bell said:
“Sport Aberdeen is committed to creating opportunities for people with autism to participate in sport and physical activity.
“We have a big responsibility to develop sport and physical activity programmes which are inclusive for people with autism. At the end of this month we will launch the pilot of our autism friendly swimming session, which will make small changes to provide an autism-friendly environment.
“This is part of a wider range of steps Sport Aberdeen is taking as Aberdeen seeks to become Scotland’s first autism friendly city.”
Phionna McInnes, Chief Executive of local charity Me Too!, which supports families of children with additional support needs, including Autism added:
“We are delighted to see these sessions in Aberdeen and encourage families to use this as a lovely way to end the school week and connect with each other in a safe, non-judgemental and relaxed environment.
“So many children on the autistic spectrum love water, it’s fantastic to see this recognised and supported by Sport Aberdeen”.
Spaces at these sessions will be limited, so families are advised to book up to 3 days in advance by contacting Tullos Swimming Pool on 01224 291890
Autism Friendly Family Swimming Session
Fridays 17:30 – 18:30
Tullos Swimming Pool, Girdleness Road, Torry, AB11 8FJ
Friday 28th October – Friday 15th December 2016
Sessions cost the price of a regular public swim:
Adults £4.45
Children £2.25
Under 5’s Free
Family (2 adults + 2 children) £8.35
Access to Leisure Card holders FREE
Scottish Thistle’s Captain goes back to her routes at Alex Collie
Local netball player, now Scottish Thistle’s Captain, Claire Brownie will be visiting her roots Thursday and Friday to lead Netball Scotland’s Thistle Summer Camp for girls in Grampian age 9-15.
The camp being held in Aberdeen at the Alex Collie Sports Centre will give the girls in the Grampian area the opportunity to experience and enjoy netball, led by Claire, who hails from the North East.
Claire who currently has 81 International Caps for Scotland and played in the World Championships in 2015 and the Commonwealth Games in 2014, started playing netball in Turriff, coached by her mum and moved from school netball at Turriff Academy to club netball playing in the Aberdeen and District Junior and Senior Leagues, before moving to Edinburgh to pursue a career in Physical Education Teaching.
Claire is hoping to pass on her passion for netball to the 60 youngsters who will attend the camps over the two days and share with them the benefits of netball.
Claire said,” Netball brings health benefits, but also so much more. I have travelled the world to meet some of my best friends through netball, grown in confidence and enjoyed being part of a team.”
The Thistle Summer Camp will introduce and enhance the netball skills of the participants through fun activities and games and encourage them to have a go at a sport.
Claire recommends, “You may not know anyone or have any experience playing a sport but that will soon change and it has the power to change your life if you let it. Ask around and get involved.”