More than 60 percent of people across Aberdeen (Scotland, UK) and Aberdeenshire (Council area of Scotland) back the idea of a multisports community stadium at the city’s beachfront, a new poll has found.
‘pressandjournal.co.uk’ stated that the majority also say tens of millions in public money should be used to get it off the ground.
It comes as talks on a new home ground for the Scottish professional football club Aberdeen F.C., tied to the new leisure facilities near the Beach Ballroom (an art deco building on the beach boulevard of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK) continue between the Council and the club.
The Aberdeen Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen, Scotland (UK). They compete in the Scottish Premiership and have never been relegated from the top division of the Scottish football league system since they were elected to the top flight in 1905.
The 20,866-capacity Pittodrie Stadium, commonly referred to as Pittodrie, from which the surrounding residential area has taken its name, is an all-seater stadium in Aberdeen, Scotland. Used primarily for football it has been the home ground of the Aberdeen F.C. since they were formed in 1903.
‘pressandjournal.co.uk’ further stated that negotiations on heads of terms between the two have run into added on time having been expected to conclude by the end of March.
The marketing agency True North Advisors commissioned pollsters Diffley Partnership to design what they hail as the “most detailed and comprehensive” public survey ever conducted in the North-East.
Aberdeen (UK)-based True North draws upon unrivaled combined experience working at the most senior levels of national Government, global businesses and the media.
Edinburgh (UK)-based Diffley Partnership are a team of skilled research and insight professionals ensuring that the important decisions their clients need to make are informed by high quality evidence and analysis.
The results show:
- Just how strong a percentage backs the seafront Pittodrie replacement plan;
- What leisure facilities should be included in the project; and
- And the subtle differences of opinion on exactly where the public money should come from.
Majority back Stadium but Nearly One in Five still to be Swayed
More than 1,300 people were surveyed on the proposals for a multisport community stadium and leisure complex at the Aberdeen beach which is expected to cost around £80 million if built by the City Council alongside the other regeneration work.
The Aberdeen F.C. wants to be anchor tenant for the community stadium on a £1m-a-year lease for at least 99 years.
The ground would be home to around 25 home ‘The Dons’ fixtures a season spanning from August to May.
The leading economists forecast that ‘The Dons’ remaining near the City Centre, instead of moving to Kingsford (hamlet in Worcestershire, England, UK), would be worth £1.6 billion to the local economy over 50 years.
And, according to the new survey, 61 percent of people asked support the development of the stadium.
Meanwhile, 20 percent oppose the idea while the remaining 19 percent are neither for or against it or don’t know.
Aberdeen FC: ‘Groundswell of Support’ for Beachfront Stadium Dream
More than half (57 percent) told the pollsters that the Aberdeen F.C. makes a positive impact on the North-East reaching outside of the city limits.
And the club Chief Executive Alan Burrows welcomed what he said was evidence of a “groundswell of support” for the stadium and leisure complex.
Added Burrows, “It’s clear that the Aberdonians, not just football fans, understand the transformational potential of such a project and want new sports and leisure facilities that will attract the residents and the visitors. With the local and the national Government backing and a shared ambition we can work in partnership to deliver a world-class sports and leisure destination that benefits the whole region.”
What Leisure Facilities do people want alongside a new Aberdeen Beachfront Stadium?
The poll, carried out by ScotPulse (Scotland’s largest online research panel) between March 23rd-26th, also asked what facilities people would most like to see developed alongside the stadium.
An overwhelming majority (73 percent) across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire called for a replacement leisure pool or aqua park.
The demolition of the Beach Leisure Centre was completed last month.
But Sport Aberdeen bosses have stated that the running costs of the leisure pools mean it would be unlikely a like-for-like replacement will be built.
Aberdeen (UK)-based Sport Aberdeen is an award-winning registered charity committed to creating opportunities, inspiring people and changing lives through sport and physical activity.
Another ice rink, for competition use and professional ice hockey, was second on the wish list being backed by 40 percent of those asked.
Social wellbeing and community space polled well too gaining the backing of more than a third of respondents.
And who should Pay for it?
The pollsters presented the Aberdeen beachfront stadium and leisure development as requiring £80m of public spend.
But the Lib Dems, who run the local authority with the Scottish National Party (SNP), are dead against the taxpayers’ cash being spent on the stadium.
Stated Ian Yuill, Lib Dem Council Co-Leader, “The SNP/Lib Dem partnership has been consistent and clear – we want to work with the Aberdeen FC to deliver a new stadium but will not be using public money to build it. The Council staff are working with the Aberdeen F.C. to agree to ‘heads of terms’ on a new stadium. I look forward to hearing the outcome of those discussions.”
His Co-Leader Christian Allard added a caveat. He said public money “can only be used where collaborative working is mutually beneficial”.
Diffley Partnership looked to find out whether the public agreed.
And two thirds (66 percent) of all answering backed the Aberdeen City Council splashing the cash on the development while 23 percent opposed public spending on the project.
But the Scottish Government is facing greater expectation for financial help towards the construction of the ground with 80 percent of the respondents keen to see Holyrood (the building in Edinburgh that houses the Scottish Parliament) funding for the ground versus only 11 percent in opposition.
Meanwhile, 62 percent say the cash should come from Westminster (an inner London borough which contains the Houses of Parliament and many Government offices).
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