It's the only Scottish organization in the running for best sports project. You can vote online, see link at end of article...

Factory Skatepark in running for award

voting to take place online

Published: 17/06/2008

A DUNDEE youth and community facility is in the running for a national award, after being shortlisted for the semi-final stage.

The Factory Skatepark, in the city’s Douglas area, is also the only Scottish organisation in the National Lottery Awards Best Sports Project category, and has been shortlisted from about 700 entries overall.

Voting will take place on the awards website over the next three weeks and the results will be announced in London in August.

A registered charity, The Factory primarily offers the area’s skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX riders a safe environment in which to enjoy their sport but, since it was set up 10 years ago, has become much more.

Established originally in the city centre, the group moved to new purpose-built premises four years ago and since then has become home to more activities than just those involving wheels.

It now has 8,600 registered users from throughout the country and although the majority are teenagers and young people, it also accommodates activities for users in their 20s and 30s. It even houses the constituency office for one of the area’s MSPs, Marlyn Glen, and NHS Tayside’s homeless outreach team.

“It’s not just about the sport,” said operations director Derek Marshall. “We use that as an attraction to deliver a range of youth and community services.

“We’re about getting young people off the streets and engaging with them in other ways, and we offer activities such as homework clubs, IT training and graffiti art.

“That was central to the idea when we were set up and we see ourselves as a 21st-century community centre.

“Such centres used to be at the heart of communities but that seems to have dropped off, so we wanted to bring that back.”

The top prize for winning the category is £2,000 but Mr Marshall said recognition is equally important. “We’re absolutely delighted to have made the shortlist and for us, those who have funded us and the volunteers who are behind us, to get national recognition is encouraging.”

YOU CAN VOTE HERE.. CLICK HERE.