Balgownie Pavilion is a dedicated table tennis training facility operated by the Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association (ADTTA) in partnership with the University of Aberdeen. Located within the University’s Balgownie sports complex in Bridge of Don area, the pavilion is surrounded by playing fields used for a variety of sports, including football, rugby, baseball, shinty and American football.

The project began in mid-2024 when Donald Pirie identified the potential of an unused upstairs hall within the building. Measuring approximately 20 metres by 10 metres, the space had been vacant for some time and required improvement before it could be used for table tennis. An initial visit by ADTTA representatives confirmed its potential, leading to several months of planning and negotiations with the University.

Following extensive preparation, Balgownie Pavilion officially opened to table tennis players on 13 May 2025. Since then, the venue has been transformed through a range of improvements, including upgraded lighting, enhanced floor grip, storage for players’ belongings, a multimedia unit, comfortable seating, an organiser’s workstation, and soundproofing panels and window curtains.

Today, Balgownie Pavilion provides a high-quality year-round venue for table tennis in Aberdeen, supporting coaching, practice, competitions and the continued growth of the sport across the region.

Balgownie Pavilion is open all year round, providing regular opportunities to play table tennis in a welcoming and friendly environment. The venue currently hosts four weekly sessions, all organised and run by dedicated ADTTA volunteers. Players can attend through either a monthly membership (£20 per month) or on a pay-as-you-go basis (£5 per session). Session times can be found below:

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday

6.30 PM – 9.30 PM

Saturday

9.00 AM – 11.00 AM

There are many other table tennis venues in Aberdeen City and across the Shire. Details can be found here.

Balgownie Pavilion is equipped to provide an excellent playing environment for both recreational and competitive table tennis. The main hall features five Butterfly Europa 25 competition tables, offering high-quality playing conditions suitable for practice, coaching and tournaments. Players also have access to a table tennis robot station, a multiball and service practice area with a collecting net, convenient storage space for personal belongings, and comfortable sofas for relaxing between matches or training sessions.

The venue benefits from excellent lighting, specifically suited to table tennis, ensuring optimal visibility. Large doors on both sides of the hall can be opened to provide plenty of fresh air and natural ventilation, creating a comfortable playing environment all year round.

In addition to the main playing area, there is possibility of setting up two additional tables on the ground floor. This flexible space has the potential to support additional league matches, disability table tennis sessions and other activities as demand continues to grow.

Since opening, Balgownie Pavilion has quickly established itself as an excellent venue for competitive table tennis. By early 2026, the pavilion had successfully hosted four fully subscribed tournaments, each receiving positive feedback from participants for its organisation, playing conditions and friendly atmosphere.

The events held to date include:

• Division 3 Singles, 25^th November 2025
• Division 4 Singles, 23^rd December 2025
• Under 1000 Banded Singles, 28^th February 2026
• Over 1000 Banded Singles, 4^th April 2026

The current Banded Singles format accommodates up to 16 players and can be completed in under five hours, making it an efficient and enjoyable competition format. Thanks to the flexibility of the venue, Balgownie Pavilion also has the capacity to host larger tournaments and a wider variety of competitive events by adapting the format and schedule.

The Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association is committed to expanding its tournament programme and looks forward to organising more competitions in the years ahead, helping to provide players of all abilities with regular opportunities to compete.

Balgownie Pavilion is a versatile venue that can hosts a wide range of special events, from coaching sessions and club competitions to exhibition matches featuring top-level players. One memorable occasion saw accomplished guest players Dariusz Szymczak and Artur Sawoch visit the pavilion in February 2026 for an exhibition and practice session against our local players. The event provided spectators and participants with an exciting morning of high-quality table tennis, friendly competition and the opportunity to experience the skill and sportsmanship of exceptional players up close. Events like these showcase Balgownie Pavilion as a welcoming venue for memorable sporting experiences and community gatherings.

Balgownie Pavilion is delighted to recognise the achievements of two outstanding junior players, Maja Wojcicka and Kiishi Adekola, who represented Aberdeen Table Tennis Academy and Aberdeen & District Table Tennis Association nationally and internationally. Since early August 2026, two specially designed banners at the Pavilion have marked their selection to represent Scotland at the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in India. Featuring best takes from an earlier professional photo-shoot, alongside highlights of their many high-level achievements, the banners showcase their talent, dedication and hard work, while highlighting this exciting milestone in their young table tennis careers.