Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen is calling on members of the public to act now and help protect the future of its invaluable venues and services in the local community.

Every year, Aberdeen City Council (ACC) sets its budget for running public services. This budget includes the commissioning fee for Sport Aberdeen, which enables the charity to run its venues, programmes and services at a lower cost to customers.

Sport Aberdeen delivers a number of life-changing initiatives including its SPACE programme – improving the lives of care experienced children and young people through the power of sport and physical activity.

Another initiative – its Active Lifestyles programme – works with older adults and individuals with long term health conditions, helping them to get active in an inclusive environment.

To break down the barrier of price and provide more people with the opportunity to take part in sport and physical activity, Sport Aberdeen offers a discounted access scheme – Get active for Less.

This year, ACC is asking the people of Aberdeen to influence what the spending priorities should be for the next financial year.

Sport Aberdeen is urging the public to complete the ACC budget consultation survey and allocate 25 points to the ‘Arts, Culture and Sport’ category to help protect their local community facilities.

Alistair Robertson, Managing Director of Sport Aberdeen, said: “I am pleased that Aberdeen City Council and the Press & Journal has provided an opportunity for the public to rate the services that the council and its partners provide. My hope is that people will allocate part of their 100 points towards Sport Aberdeen; and 25 would be fantastic!

“We know our facilities and services have a real positive impact on tens of thousands of people every week, improving their health and wellbeing and influencing positively in so many ways.”

Alistair continued: “Sport Aberdeen does far more than perhaps is appreciated and we want to be around for many years to come, continuing our mission to create opportunities, inspire people and change lives through all that we do.

“Of course, I am biased, but the provision of quality sport and leisure services should be a fundamental part of any local authority’s offer, however pressures on public sector finance are making that increasingly difficult to sustain.  

“Leisure is a non-statutory function, so we always have to shout louder and fight for a share of what is an ever-decreasing level of funding, and this is one of those times. I appeal to everyone who shares that view to vote; give us 25 points to help us survive!”

Diane McKay, local Sport Aberdeen member, said: “I was diagnosed with diabetes last year so coming to Get active @ Northfield to swim gives me the exercise I need, and it makes me feel relaxed. I usually try to go swimming twice a week.

“The facilities at Get active @ Northfield are lovely and clean, and the staff are always helpful. Everyone is catered for here – there are lots of options to suit everyone and I find it is great value for money, particularly if you take a membership which is what I have. 

“It’s so important that our local sport and leisure facilities are protected.”

Members of the public have until Monday 31 July to complete the Aberdeen City Council Phase 1 budget consultation survey.

Spare less than five minutes and help to protect the future of Sport Aberdeen today by completing the survey online here, giving 25 points to the Arts, Culture and Sport category.

All 100 points must be allocated against a range of services before submissions will be accepted.