REIACH AND HALL news

Aberdeen Sports Village officially opened by Denis Law and Jason Gardener MBE

On Friday 5 March we attended the official opening of our recently completed sports facility at Aberdeen Sports Village. Football legend Denis Law and Olympic gold champion Jason Gardener MBE were amongst a number of VIPs invited to celebrate the official opening.

Mr Law said: "I'm very pleased to have been invited to open Aberdeen Sports Village. It's a facility that will encourage sporting development across all age groups and I only wish that I'd had the benefit of such fantastic sporting facilities on my doorstep during my childhood days in Aberdeen. I would encourage people of all ages, sports and skill levels to use this tremendous facility and congratulate all involved in bringing this to Aberdeen."

Mr Gardener, who won Olympic gold for the 4x100m relay at the 2004 Athens Games and is part of a select group of athletes to have broken the 10 second barrier for the 100m, made an inspirational speech about winning Olympic gold in Athens before praising the new building as one of the best of its kind in the world.

Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Peter Stephen added: "Aberdeen Sports Village is phenomenal. It offers equality of opportunity for all in the community to enjoy first class sports and leisure facilities. Whether it's training facilities for elite athletes or sport activities for local residents and visitors to the city the provision is second to none."

Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health and Sport said: "Aberdeen has a long history of producing some of Scotland's outstanding athletes and top quality sports performances and the opening of this world class facility can only help to inspire future generations to get involved in sport and try a range of different activities. Encouraging our communities to participate in sport and physical activity is the main aim of our Active Nation legacy campaign. This alongside the provision of excellent facilities supported by a sustainable workforce of coaches and volunteers will ensure Scotland becomes a modern, healthy and inclusive society, providing benefits that are visible and enjoyed by all."

George Yule, Chairman of Aberdeen Sports Village, said: "The Aberdeen Sports Village is a fantastic facility and it is fitting that two of the leading sportsmen of their generations were on hand to conduct the official opening. This local sports facility has been designed to international standards, with the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in mind, and is already benefiting aspiring athletes and the wider community. We have been delighted by the response to the Sports Village - all aspects of the facility are well used and we have had great feedback from users."

Since it opened its doors in August, more than 200,000 people have made use of the facilities, with 5,000 returning on a daily basis. The building includes a full size indoor football pitch, a large sports hall, four squash courts, fitness suite and performance gym, exercise studios, a crèche and a café.

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