Sport Aberdeen’s 2018/19 Annual Report has revealed that more than 1.3 million people used its facilities in the last financial year.

The report highlights a year of achievements for the award-winning charity that includes an 18% increase in Get active memberships and £13.7 million in income, a 2% increase on the previous financial year and the highest for six years.

The last year has seen Sport Aberdeen focus on investment and modernisation of its venues in order to make an impact on the people and communities it serves.

This project of investment has included £306,000 into the transformation of Get active @ Sheddocksley, £121,000 worth of improvements to the MacKenzie Championship course and the creation of four LTA approved competition courts at Aberdeen Tennis Centre in Westburn Park.

Colin Taylor, Sport Aberdeen’s chairman at the time of the report said:

“Being recognised nationally and locally by external organisations, our partners and stakeholders, gives me a sense of great pride.

“This year, Sport Aberdeen has been recognised by ukactive, winning the Scottish Centre of the Year Award for the refurbishment of the Get active @ Jesmond project.

“The refurbishment of Get active @ Sheddocksley was a huge success. I was enormously pleased to be part of the volunteering task force, made up of my fellow directors and staff which mobilised one weekend to help paint the outside of the building.

“The commitment and enthusiasm of Sport Aberdeen staff and individuals who volunteer, never ceases to amaze me. Without them, we would not be able to have such an impact on people’s lives.”

Sport Aberdeen strives to ensure that everyone in Aberdeen is able to enjoy the benefits of participation in sport and physical activity, regardless of ability or age, and this is reflected in the participation statistics in the report.  Participations in the Active Lifestyles programme for over 65’s went up by 17% to 31,033 and Adventure Aberdeen recorded 1,497 additional support needs participant sessions.

Participations in the Active Lifestyles programme went up by 17% to 31,033 and Adventure Aberdeen recorded 1,497 additional support needs participant sessions.

Alistair Robertson, managing director of Sport Aberdeen, said:

“It makes me extremely proud to look back on what has been another brilliant and busy year for Sport Aberdeen.

“We saw significant growth of our fantastic ‘Get Active 1-5’ membership offer, bringing us ever closer to our target of 10,000 members and getting more people more active across Aberdeen, creating opportunities for everyone to take part in sport and physical activity.”

Sport Aberdeen’s 2018/19 Annual Report can be read in full here