Aberdeen Sports Village
Map
LocationAberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
OwnerUniversity of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council
Opened22 August 2009 (Sports Village)
5 May 2014 (Aquatics Centre)

Aberdeen Sports Village is a sports facility in Aberdeen, Scotland.[1]

History

The Aquatics Centre

The present athletics track is situated on the site of the Aberdeen Regent Park Greyhound Stadium which later became the Linksfield Stadium and subsequently the Chris Anderson Stadium. The stadium was redeveloped as part of the Sports Village project.[2]

The first stage of the Village was opened on 22 August 2009, representing an investment of £28 million.[3] In 2010, Aberdeen Sports Village hosted a training session of the Scottish Rugby Team. In 2012 Aberdeen Sports Village was an official pre-games training venue of the Cameroon Olympic Team prior to London 2012.

Construction on the Aquatics Centre started in late 2011 and was completed in early 2014 following an investment of £22 million. The centre opened on 5 May 2014 as an expansion of the existing Aberdeen Sports Village complex.[4][5][6] The King's Pavilion swimming pool was subsequently closed.[7]

The athletics track was replaced in 2015.[2] In 2022, the outdoor hockey pitch had its surface and lighting replaced.[8]

Facilities

Statue to Denis Law

The Sports Village features a 135m indoor running straight, indoor football pitch, sports hall, four squash courts, gym and two dance studios. There is a 400m outdoor running track as well as a football pitch, which is the home ground of Junior team Bridge of Don Thistle F.C. since 2018[9] (and previously Lewis United F.C. until they folded in 2018). There is also a hockey pitch.

The Aquatics Centre hosts a 50-meter Olympic standard pool and a 25-meter pool with diving boards up to 10 meters as well as a sauna, steam room, and exercise rooms. There are two cafes, located at the main entrance to the Sports Village and at the entrance to the Aquatics Centre.

A statue to footballer Denis Law is situated at the facility's entrance.[10][11]

Events

The venue held the 2014 Commonwealth Water Polo Championships between 5 - 12 April 2014. These events were held prior to opening of the venue and while exterior and car park construction was still taking place.[12] The Aquatics Centre hosted a leg of the Para Swimming World Series event in 2022.[13] The Aquatics Centre is also the host of the yearly Gowlands Cup underwater hockey tournament.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Aberdeen Sports Village - Aquatics Centre". www.aberdeensportsvillage.com.
  2. ^ a b "Chris Anderson Stadium". The Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  3. ^ "£28 million Aberdeen Sports Village to open its doors". University of Aberdeen. 20 August 2009. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Aberdeen Sports Village". YouTube. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  5. ^ "North East & Tayside". STV News.
  6. ^ "Aquatics Centre Officially Opens Doors to Public". University of Aberdeen. 6 May 2014. Archived from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  7. ^ Mackay, David (22 April 2016). "Aberdeen University pool revamp takes step forward". Press and Journal. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  8. ^ Hebditch, Jon (23 February 2022). "Massive £250k upgrade of 'world class' Aberdeen hockey pitch announced". aberdeenlive. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  9. ^ "Thistle agree deal for New Ground!". Bridge of Don Thistle J.F.C. 27 June 2018. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  10. ^ "Statue in Aberdeen moves Denis Law to tears". The Scotsman. 21 July 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  11. ^ "Manchester United star Denis Law has statue unveiled at Aberdeen Sports Village". BBC News. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  12. ^ "Commonwealth Water Polo Championships | Scottish Swimming". Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  13. ^ Houston, Michael (15 December 2021). "Aberdeen to host Para Swimming World Series event next year". Inside The Games. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Summer Events: Gowlands Underwater Hockey Tournament!". The Gaudie. 18 May 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.

External links

57°09′43″N 2°05′34″W / 57.1620°N 2.0928°W / 57.1620; -2.0928

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