DUNDEE SOCIAL enterprise the Factory Skatepark has launched a new state-of-the-art £750,000 soft play centre, creating almost 40 new jobs and training opportunities for Dundee in the process.
The Fun Factory was created following a £500,000 investment from Social Investment Scotland, via the Scottish Investment Fund.
The centre has been built beside the Factory Skatepark at Douglas, a centre which has over 17,300 registered users and which was recently crowned Social Enterprise of the Year 2012 at the Scottish Social Enterprise Awards.
The new centre has created 19 new jobs and a 20 further training positions.
Alastair Davis, chief executive of funding partner Social Investment Scotland, said Factory Skatepark had done a “fantastic job” in building a social enterprise that is “incredibly popular with young people in the local community”.
He said: “Importantly, the new business will also provide invaluable job opportunities for young people, offering them vital practical working skills.
“At a time when youth unemployment remains high, particularly in areas of social deprivation, I’m confident the Fun Factory will deliver a considerable social return on our investment.”
Skatepark and Fun Factory chief executive Derek Marshall praised funding partners and the support of Social Investment Scotland and said the launch was a culmination of “shared goals, a passion for Social Enterprise, dedication to providing for the children in our area and a huge amount of hard work”.
The centre which features a three-level play structure incorporating slides, crawl tubes, observation pods as well as a separate area for toddlers and a sensory play area, has been fitted with a number of renewable technologies to help keep energy costs down.
An array of solar panels and three air source heat pumps were fitted with the help of a £41,502 Scottish Government funded Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (Cares) Urban grant, which met 90% of the total costs.
The new centre was officially opened this week by minister for children and young people Aileen Campbell.
She said: “This fantastic new soft play facility in Dundee is a good example of community and business interests combining to provide a fun space for local children and their parents.”
business@thecourier.co.uk