Scotland’s First Minister, Jack McConnell, officially opened The Robert Gordon University’s new £11m sports centre on its Garthdee campus in Aberdeen yesterday.

RGU: SPORT, which opened to the public in March, features a 25m swimming pool, a three-storey climbing wall, a main sports hall, three exercise studios and two fitness suites.

The centre is open to students, staff and the community and offers injury rehabilitation and nutrition and exercise advice as well as sporting facilities. It was funded primarily by the university – using proceeds from the sale of its Kepplestone site for residential development – with further contributions totalling around £1.7m, including £500,000 from Aberdeen Council.

Principal of RGU, Professor Stevely, said at the event yesterday: “Universities play an important role in encouraging young people to participate in sport, whether they are our own students or local youngsters.

“With RGU: SPORT, Aberdeen now boasts some of the best sporting facilities in Scotland and we are working closely with Aberdeen City Council to ensure that the University is a focal point for everyone in the community and attracts top sporting events to Aberdeen.”