Loirston chosen for new stadium

Aberdeen FC set to move

EXCLUSIVE

By Charlie Allan

 

Published: 03/04/2009

 

THE Evening Express can today reveal the preferred location for Aberdeen’s new community stadium.

 

The £38 million community facility, which will become home to Aberdeen FC, will be at Loirston Loch in the south of the city.

 

It follows a year-long series of feasibility studies to decide if the site at Nigg would be the best location for the stadium.

 

The report on the recommendation of the Nigg site will now go out to consultation and will be referred to the council’s policy and strategy committee on April 28.

 

A number of other potential sites across the city, including one at King’s Links, were examined by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen FC and it was decided all of them were unsuitable.

 

Aberdeen FC managing director Duncan Fraser, who is also a member of the Arena Project Advisory and Monitoring Board created to advise of the best site and stadium design, said: “These recommendations have still to be approved and at the appropriate time, there will be a full consultation process with fans.

 

“Their feedback will be important.â€

 

For more on this story, and an exclusive image of the new arena, pick up today’s Evening Express or check back later

There's nothing particularly controversial in those questions. Some such as light and noise pollution are easily mitigated (or soft issues), but the parking and transport is a fucking ridiculous situation. It isn't workable.

The parking situation baffles me and not just for the stadium. I really don't understand what Aberdeen (the city) is trying to achieve

 

It takes me back to Uni days when we discovered RGU's campus down at Garthdee only obtained planning permission by keeping parking to the absolute bare minimum. The council then brought in permit/ voucher parking all around the campus and made it extremely difficult to buy the vouchers.

 

The city is a transport nightmare and yet rather that trying to rectify it with logical thought the plan always seems to be 'it we don't provide parking then people will simply walk/ take the bus' forgetting that thanks to the gridlocked streets the bus service breaks down and humans are lazy.

 

Could have left it at Cove and forked out an additional 3million to re-open the old Cove Railway station but noooo.

Even doing that would have resolved everything but would have at least provided an alternative transport and perhaps even taken some rush-hour cars off the streets by providing a regular service into and out of the city centre.

Aberdeen Football Club chairman Stewart Milne hopes to have a new stadium built in time for the 2020 season.

 

In an open letter to AFC supporters he states the Dons will aim to have the football academy built in time for the 2018 season and the stadium at Kingsford developed two years later.

 

Labelled as “one of the most exciting projects in our club’s history” he has thanked people who attended the public consultations and gave their views on the plans for the outskirts of Westhill.

 

Stewart Milne said: “The first part of the consultation process concluded on 26th of August. The next step will be to come back to our fans and the wider community with the detail of our plans.

 

“Following this, we expect to be in a position to have a detailed planning application submitted before the end of 2016.

 

“It will take the planners, statutory consultees and other stakeholders some further time to assess and consider the various aspects of the proposed development.

 

“If our application is approved, we would aim to have the football academy in place for the 2018 season, and the stadium built for the 2020 season.”

I remember reading something similar years and years ago that said "Stewart Milne is aiming to have the new stadium built in time for the 2013/14 season.

I remember reading something similar years and years ago that said "Stewart Milne is aiming to have the new stadium built in time for the 2013/14 season.

 

In fairness to him, i don't think we ever got this far with previous proposals??? But I agree with your scepticism. Until I see foundations being dug and concrete poured I'll believe nothing.

In fairness to him, i don't think we ever got this far with previous proposals??? But I agree with your scepticism. Until I see foundations being dug and concrete poured I'll believe nothing.

 

Loirston was further. It was agreed subject to purchase of a piece of land. There was also Bellfield, which I think went to planning too. Not to mention Balgownie for the training complex. At least if a random hitch occurs after planning, the land will be opened up for a housing development.

 

I do actually believe that this project will at least start though. I also believe that the fundamental issues of parking will not be addressed and the novelty of the walk, or shuttling, from the park and ride will wear off pretty quickly. I'm thinking that self-driving cars may save the day though. Genuinely.

The mayor added: “Both clubs are crucially important to the city. As in London and Manchester they bring an economic development in terms of jobs, visitors and tourism. Everton, in terms of the partnership we’ve got, is as strong as ever. I am really positive we will be able to announce in a couple of months what we are doing with the club. I am confident there will be something for Evertonians – a new stadium as good as this.”

 

The above is from Liverpools mayor. Such refreshing words where a council recognises the importance of football in a city. Shame the same can't be said for Aberdeen.

Dont think u can really compare the two cities in terms of football fanatacism

 

Dont think u can really compare the two cities in terms of football fanatacism

 

I know, but you get my point. The city have clearly got a long history with both clubs and sees their benefits. It's really that simple.

I only lived in the city for about 6 years but I got the impression the football club was seen as more of an inconvenience. I seem to recall Leeds united having a similar issue with their local council

 

My theory is since Aberdeen is a fairly rich city the ties to 'the working mans game' and possibly any sport will never be as strong. Liverpool on the other hand hand being historically a 'working city' (No laughing at the back) with the shipyard etc (much like Newcastle, Sunderland, Glasgow, Sheffield, Manchester) and Football was and possibly still is an escape for the masses and each city recognises the impact a decline in their teams fortunes can have on the population. Aberdeen's success or decline doesn't seem to bother anyone in charge of the city.....but then again the rumours of corruption in ACC beggar belief.

 

The other issue is the Scotland wide problem of the Old Firm Glory hunting magnet. Too many folk born and bred in Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth will support one of them with the reason being 'oh its a family thing'. Thank fuck my family didn't have the same 'rule' other wise Id be stuck with Plymouth Argyle.

http://www.brickstand.co.uk/product/pittodrie

 

 

 

The other issue is the Scotland wide problem of the Old Firm Glory hunting magnet. Too many folk born and bred in Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth will support one of them with the reason being 'oh its a family thing'. Thank fuck my family didn't have the same 'rule' other wise Id be stuck with Plymouth Argyle.

 

I am the opposite - I grew up in Glasgow but supported Aberdeen as it was 'a family thing'!!

 

Nothing groundbreaking but the club are holding an exhibition at Pittodrie soon on the new stadium.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-37974730

 

A new exhibition about Aberdeen FC's proposals for a new stadium on the outskirts of the city is to be held.

The stadium and training facilities would be built at Kingsford, close to the Aberdeen bypass, near Westhill.

The Yes to Kingsford Stadium group believes it would be a vital step forward, but there has been opposition.

The exhibition will be held at Pittodrie on Thursday 24 November from 15:00 to 21:00, at the AAM Suite in the Richard Donald Stand.

It will also provide feedback on the public consultation events staged in Aberdeen, Kingswells and Westhill in July and August.

 

Hibs and Hearts' new indoor training facilities at Riccarton are pretty impressive and by architects I have a lot of time for.  I'm hoping whatever facilities we are providing equally as inspiring.

 

http://www.afc.co.uk/news/8808.php#.WDWaxrKDzcs

 

Dons Development Details

23 November 2016 13:30By Aberdeen FC Media Team

No ALT tag specified

 

 

 

Aberdeen Football Club has released more details of its plans to create a focal point for community engagement and footballing excellence on land at Kingsford.

 

Earlier this year, the Club revealed proposals to develop a new community and sports campus, football academy and stadium on the site. It has now provided further details of its plans following extensive consultation with stakeholders and as it prepares to lodge a detailed planning application for the scheme.

 

Creating a 21st century stadium, modern training facilities for its first team and youth academy, and dedicated facilities for AFC Community Trust are vital for the Club to achieve a sustainable future and to maximise its contribution to the city and region on and off the pitch.

 

The Club's plans for its 25 hectare Kingsford site include three professional training pitches; two community 3G pitches; community pavilion to include changing facilities, offices, a gymnasium and multi-purpose space with a potential community learning zone; new stadium with up to 20,000-seat capacity; a fan-zone, AFC store; Red café; AFC Heritage Museum and Memorial Garden; and circa 1,600 car parking spaces, bus parking and drop off areas.

 

 

 

The Kingsford development will deliver essential, modern training facilities, community facilities and a stadium that provides an enhanced match-day and non match-day experience. These will support the ambitions of the Club and its fans, further the award-winning work done in the local community by AFC Community Trust and provide wider economic and social benefits to the city and region.

 

In developing its plans the Club has listened to its fans and other stakeholders and looked at best in class facilities in stadia across the UK and Europe.

 

The single tier, fully enclosed stadium will dramatically improve atmosphere, while minimising visual impact on the surrounding area. Much more comfortable and accessible, the stadium and its concourse areas, and the wider site facilities will offer a much better match-day experience for everyone, from young to old - encouraging greater family attendance and providing a beacon for the fans of the future.

 

More significantly for the profile of the region, Kingsford will be the largest new-build stadium in Scotland in 100 years.

 

George Yule, Executive Vice Chairman of AFC, said: "What makes our Club so enduring is the fact that we play such an important role in our community. The glories of our past and solid footing of our present cannot sustain the Club in the future and that is why we embarked on a new journey some four years ago - a journey that will take us to long-term success and sustainability, on and off the pitch.

 

"Having achieved our initial milestones, the Club is now in the best shape it has been for many years. We are demonstrating significant strength on and off the pitch with our first team, our youth development programme, our robust financial position and our fantastic work in the community.

 

"Our vision for the future is one which can be shared among our fans, the team and backroom staff, our partners and sponsors and among the wider community in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Realising our plans for Kingsford is the critical step in our exciting journey to achieve UEFA top 100 status with a highly successful squad, a wider than ever reach into the community, world-class training facilities and a modern stadium, all within a prosperous and healthy region.

 

"It is also a significant investment and a signal of confidence in the city and region at a time when the public and private sectors are working to address major economic challenges. Our vision can therefore be summed up as achieving the feel-good factor for all by ensuring that the Club's impact is the best it can be on the pitch, in economic terms and in the community," said Mr Yule.

 

Mr Yule added: "For the first time, we will be able to bring together our off the pitch and on the pitch operations, including our training facilities, allowing us to deliver a real step-change in experience for our players and our fans, as well as for the wider community. This will also support a step-change for the Club in terms of operational and business performance.

 

"In essence, we will be providing a stadium that supports our ambition and meets the expectations of our fans alongside out-standing community sports facilities; an educational, training, social, and recreational resource; and an employment and community hub. Kingsford will be a focal point for community engagement and footballing excellence for the north of Scotland and an inspiration for future generations of local youngsters."

 

The Club is staging a public exhibition of its up to date proposals at Pittodrie from 3pm to 9pm on Thursday 24 November in the AAM Suite in the Richard Donald Stand.

 

Further content which can be viewed at the exhibition will also be made available online following the event.

Architecturally disappointing, but given the length of time it's taken us to get this far, I couldn't care less.  We need a new stadium and the facilities appear to be good.  I'd be interested to see if they actually deliver the full 20K capacity on day one given we very rarely achieve near that figure.

 

 

 

The roof and structure of it is what I like the least, but hey ho.  Acoustically that profile won't work the best it could do.

It's like a big St Mirren. We don't need a new stadium. There is no evidence to back that up that has been made available. I'll keep stating that until someone shows me otherwise.

 

Intrigued to hear the goal of UEFA top 100. What does that mean? 100 best teams? Or something that takes into account stadium and training facilities (and number of corporate seats for UEFA delegates)?

 

Also, the offices. Is that for the club I assume, not for let?

 

They seem to be making a decent fist of it this time anyway, although that was also the case with Loirston. I see no issues with planning, I reckon it'll sail through.... and then be converted to hooses when naebody buys Pittodrie.

 

 

Architecturally disappointing, but given the length of time it's taken us to get this far, I couldn't care less.  We need a new stadium and the facilities appear to be good.  I'd be interested to see if they actually deliver the full 20K capacity on day one given we very rarely achieve near that figure.

 

 

 

The roof and structure of it is what I like the least, but hey ho.  Acoustically that profile won't work the best it could do.

 

If only we had someone who was good with crayons that could do the design for them.  Manc

 

I'm guessing fancy designs will end up costing more... provided it's functional and suits us long term I can live with it being a bit bland, we were never going to get a thing of beauty.

Given the accuracy of some 3D visualisations currently floating about (used to be a specialist craft but now any primate with google sketch up is setting up their own little business) I'm holding judgement till I see the technical drawings.

 

Personally how it looks on the outside doesn't bother me so long as it actually works as a building.

If the circulation ends up anything like that of Celtic Park the designers have to be shot on sight.

 

'Form Follows Function' after all. Isnt that right Manc? 

That looks shite.

 

Crowd are close enough to the pitch so it could be worse.

 

Let's just bide at Pittodrie

 

 

 

 

I hope that wee corner bitty is the away section

Given the accuracy of some 3D visualisations currently floating about (used to be a specialist craft but now any primate with google sketch up is setting up their own little business) I'm holding judgement till I see the technical drawings.

 

Personally how it looks on the outside doesn't bother me so long as it actually works as a building.

If the circulation ends up anything like that of Celtic Park the designers have to be shot on sight.

 

'Form Follows Function' after all. Isnt that right Manc? 

 

Aye, right enough, but "God is in the details" and "less is more".  As Ed says, they've obviously got to work within a tight budget but the roof is simplistic (not in a good way) at best. Functionality of the building is of course imperative in a stadium but I'd like it to avoid the look of the lego building...a.k.a new St. Mirren Park or whatever it's called.

 

I'm guessing the Uefa 100 must be in relation to the coefficient. Given we are at 202 at the moment, we have some way to go!

Aye, right enough, but "God is in the details" and "less is more".  As Ed says, they've obviously got to work within a tight budget but the roof is simplistic (not in a good way) at best. Functionality of the building is of course imperative in a stadium but I'd like it to avoid the look of the lego building...a.k.a new St. Mirren Park or whatever it's called.

 

I'm guessing the Uefa 100 must be in relation to the coefficient. Given we are at 202 at the moment, we have some way to go!

 

Is the roof being simplistic in the images a real concern? Surely they're just pictorial aren't they? Fingers crossed the exhibition tomorrow shows some detailed plans which give everyone a better idea what it'll look like.

Is the roof being simplistic in the images a real concern? Surely they're just pictorial aren't they? Fingers crossed the exhibition tomorrow shows some detailed plans which give everyone a better idea what it'll look like.

 

Nah, I guess it's just basic, standard steel sections, prefer it when they're integrated into the roof build up, cleaner lines etc....it's going to look like a mecanno set. Anyway, will hold my full critique for now 

Nah, I guess it's just basic, standard steel sections, prefer it when they're integrated into the roof build up, cleaner lines etc....it's going to look like a mecanno set. Anyway, will hold my full critique for now 

 

 

Good call, basing your negativity on guesswork

 

 

Good call, basing your negativity on guesswork

 

 

 

Ok, it's not a guess. It is basic. I (and TW), probably more than most look at these things.

 

Given what I can see, this is how that image will look like:

 

 

Some thing like this (albeit on a smaller scale obviously) is not hard to achieve. The structure is all contained, better materials and the rake on the roof is slopped towards the pitch which allows the atmosphere (on those rare occasions at the Emirates) to roll around the stadium.  It's much cleaner imo.