Sport Aberdeen struck gold at the 2019 Elevator Awards scooping the top spot in the Enterprising Communities category, despite strong local competition.

Left to right: Gordon Edwards Sub Committee Chairman, Nickie Scorgie Head of HR & Organisational Development, Keith Gerrard Director of Healthy and Active Communities and Colin G. Taylor Sport Aberdeen Chairman.

Finalists were invited to an award ceremony, which took place last night (Thursday 27 June), at Aberdeen’s Ardoe House Hotel, where winners were announced.

The Enterprising Communities Award highlights a community-based organisation or business that demonstrates a strong commitment to its local community by the way it engages and interacts with its operating environment.

The award recognises Sport Aberdeen’s commitment to making positive changes within the communities in which it operates and its dedication to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity regardless of age or ability.

A focus was placed on the recent transformation of Sport Aberdeen’s Get active @ Sheddocksley. The facility, previously a failing and unused 1970s sports centre in one of Aberdeen’s most deprived areas, prone to vandalism and antisocial behaviour, has been transformed into one of the most contemporary wellbeing and fitness facilities in the city, reducing its risk of closure and ensuring its sustainability for the foreseeable future. The centre is now a dynamic community hub which creates a deep sense of belonging and pride for the local community.

Amongst the programmes noted were Sport Aberdeen’s Looked After Project, which utilises the power of sport and physical activity to positively affect the lives of looked after children and young people; and Move More Aberdeen, a pioneering physical activity programme specifically designed for people living with long term conditions.

The Elevator Awards, now in its 20^th year, celebrates business excellence and achievement in the North East.

Sport Aberdeen’s Chairman, Colin G. Taylor, commented:

“It is fantastic to know that our efforts are not only acknowledged and celebrated but are truly making a difference within the communities that Sport Aberdeen serves.

“As we continue to be recognised both locally and nationally, this strengthens our platform and allows us to continue to build upon new and existing partnerships, broadening our reach and allowing us to continue to change lives through sport and physical activity in local communities.”

Responding to this latest success, Sport Aberdeen Managing Director, Alistair Robertson, said:

“I am delighted that Sport Aberdeen has been named as the winner of the Enterprising Communities category, recognising our place at the heart of the local community and highlighting the ongoing work that is carried out year after year by all of our dedicated staff, volunteers and board members.

“This recognition within the North East is testament to what we stand for as a business. We work tirelessly to build and maintain relationships with the local communities we operate within, which enables us to offer customers the best possible experience at our facilities across the city.”