The chairman of the Scottish Premiership’s Aberdeen F.C. is urging the city council to back a new Aberdeen Beach stadium for the club.
Dave Cormack told the Press & Journal that a new stadium could unlock events reminiscent of the Aberdeen International Football Festival, while it could also help spur the city’s economic future.
And Cormack says he would provide the value of the land at Pittodrie, where the club’s current stadium is housed, to the council if the Dons make the move to a new stadium.
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 22,199-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 (UK). Used primarily for football it has been the home ground of Aberdeen F.C. since they were formed in 1903.
The P&J said that Aberdeen FC’s beachfront stadium is still ‘an option on the table’ but the city won’t pay for it. While work has officially begun on the multi-million-pound beach revamp, the stadium plan remains on the shelf.
Cormack said the Granite City with its silver sands is on the verge of losing tens of thousands of jobs from oil and gas and that it is sleepwalking into an economic crisis.
He told the P&J, “That is unless significant infrastructure investment is made to retain and attract companies who will decide where they locate their businesses based on the attractiveness of a city for their employees and their families.
“The scenes at the parade to celebrate our Scottish Cup win demonstrated the positive impact Aberdeen FC can have on our city region. The buzz was palpable – smiling faces everywhere and the welcome sound of ringing tills in cafes, bars, shops and restaurants.”
He said it’s often remarked upon that when Aberdeen’s football team is doing well, so too is the city. He added, “The incalculable, but very tangible, feel-good factor has been building in the last few seasons.
“As the club improves on and off the pitch, there has been a significant increase in season ticket holders, enhanced fan engagement and match-day experiences resulting in several Pittodrie sell-outs. This, in turn, has led to a positive knock-on effect for local businesses.
“When the council initially approached us about a new stadium at the beach, we were excited about the potential for it to be the catalyst for amazing community sports and leisure facilities, new events and economic benefits for the whole city region.”
Without significant infrastructure investment in facilities that attract and retain people, Aberdeen will lose out on the tens of thousands of renewable energy jobs being created.
This is despite the stated political aim for Aberdeen to shift from Europe’s oil and gas capital to the renewable energy capital of the world.
The vision for a new community stadium with a multi-sport and leisure complex was all about the catalytic impact of a centrepiece.
An independent study, funded jointly by the club and the council, revealed the economic uplift from such a facility would be £1 billion over 50 years.
Cormack added, “But this vision has stalled and needs to progress if we want to create something special, not just for our club but for the whole city region and all its citizens.
This is why we must take a fresh approach.
“We want to bring politicians of all parties, business leaders and other stakeholders together in a shared ambition for the city to deliver a community stadium along with best-in-class sports and leisure facilities that can be enjoyed by all, that will attract and retain people, creating jobs and prosperity.”
He said that with a new community stadium, Aberdeen could host a myriad of international sporting events and outdoor concerts including matches for the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
As part of a 99-year lease, the club is prepared to contribute upfront the significant value of Pittodrie and the surrounding land, providing substantial income to the council, as well as the club paying for the stadium’s upkeep.
Cormack added, “So, my plea is for everyone to get on board with the ambition and find the political will to make this happen for the benefit of Aberdeen and to provide future Aberdonians with a city to be proud of.
“There’s no time to waste, let’s do this – together.”
Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.
Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.