Transition Extreme Sports Centre

The £2.7m Transition Extreme Sports Centre, which opened Easter 2007 in Aberdeen, provides a multi use state-of-the-art recreation facility designed to provide a tough challenge to bikers, climbers and skate boarders, as well as a venue for associated arts - music, fashion, photography, film making and so on.

The Finance Manager of this stunning social enterprise is Michelle Black. She believes the project is unique in the benefits it delivers to young people combined with the economic benefits of providing a world-class recreation facility - all under the Not for Profit banner.

"Our success in the community has been rapid," explains Michelle. "The £500k loan support we gained from Bank of Scotland has made a significant contribution to the success of Transition Extreme, not simply because of the funding. The Bank's stamp of approval publicly demonstrated belief in our project. It has made others realise that we are a credible and viable business. Consequently, we have been able to secure more grant support and corporate interest in the venture. Working in partnership has made this a truly sustainable development."

Tim Rankin, Centre Manager, is also excited about the potential for Transition.

"It is getting better everyday. There is so much going on. The skatepark and climbing wall are already well established and we are currently looking at expanding provision specifically in the arts activities at the centre to broaden the offering for young bands and DJs. Licensing laws, for example, make it difficult for young people to play standard and cooler gig venues. There is real kudos about playing here.

Transition Extreme is about giving opportunities to young people who wouldn't normally have the chance, either through the difficulties of rural locations or low income. We are run as a business and have developed the facilities commercially to subsidise those who can't afford it. Only then can you plough any profit back in to the community."

Transition for the future? "Well, a huge plus for us has been BMX being part of the Olympics. We can now offer young people the aspiration of competing in an Olympic sport. And, of course, we would like to have a Transition Extreme in every city, built on our own successful model."

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