Arena Community Stadium

 

A community stadium development (Arena) for AberdeenCity could be built near Loirston Loch, Cove.

 

Reports published today reveal partners investigating the possibility of creating a stadium and associated facilities in Aberdeen have made significant progress.

 

The Arena Project Team formed jointly by Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Football Club will present an Outline Business Case for a stadium and ask Councillors to promote Loirston as the preferred site for development.

 

Members will also be asked to give the green light for further development work on the Arena project and back in principle a joint venture as a means of delivery.

 

If built, the Arena would become home to Aberdeen Football Club, a proposed venture partner as well as lead tenant. Officers recommend a 22,000-seat stadium, potentially rising to 30,000 seats, depending on the availability of financial support from the Scottish Government.

 

Officers say sports and leisure developments, such as a community stadium, can play a major role in the successful future of both the city and region.

 

In her report to next week's Council meeting, Head of Planning and Infrastructure, Margaret Bochel, writes: "Development of the Arena Community Stadium will ensure that Aberdeen is acknowledged as a competitive, dynamic and vibrant place to live and work.

 

"The stadium could provide the opportunity to deliver objectives in the Regeneration Strategy, such as developing priority social, economic and environmental projects.

 

"Such a facility would be a major addition to the infrastructure of the city, helping increase participation in sport and encouraging a healthy lifestyle across all sectors of the community."

 

The report will go before Council on December 19.

 

Aberdeen FC's social, economic and cultural role

 

The benefits Aberdeen enjoys as a result of being home to a top division professional football club cannot be underestimated.

 

An economic impact analysis completed in 2006 determined that Aberdeen FC contributes at least £6 million per year to the local economy. The club also supports a total of 350 full time equivalent jobs.

 

Meanwhile, the Dons' community programme is recognised as the best in Scotland - having won the Community Club of the year award every year it has been judged.

 

Shell, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Councils, The Scottish Football Association, Grampian Fire and Rescue Service, npower, Macdonalds and the Food Standards Agency all support the programme, demonstrating an existing successful partnership between the club, business and the public sector.

 

Pittodrie Stadium

 

Redevelopment of Pittodrie Stadium to meet future needs is not viable.

 

The pitch width and run off areas currently do not meet UEFA standards and the pitch fails to comply with International Rugby Board specifications, meaning it cannot host regular full internationals.

 

As the ground is landlocked, with the exception of the Richard Donald Stand, the best way these issues could be accommodated at the present stadium is to redevelop the Main and South stands to a smaller footprint. These stands, along with the Merkland Road end, are all in relatively poor condition and will require to be completely redeveloped over the next 5?8 years.

 

Taking all of the above into account, there would be a substantial reduction in the stadium's capacity and a major impact on corporate facilities and accommodation, reducing the club's capacity to generate revenue.

 

As the city has no alternative stadium available to Aberdeen Football Club, redevelopment would either take a number of years or require the club to play matches at a remote location - most likely Dundee or Inverness.

 

No European matches could be played within the City during this period of redevelopment and would have to be played in Central Scotland.

 

Eventually, Pittodrie would be left with a capacity of around 15,000, achieved at a cost of around £15million to the club.

 

This would preclude Aberdeen and the region from any involvement in hosting major European and international matches and the city would rule itself out of participating in the hosting of competitions such as the Rugby World Cup or the European Football Championship.

 

A redeveloped Pittodrie would also be unable to accommodate community facilities that would be a significant part of any new stadium.

 

Community Stadium model

 

A community stadium is a partnership-funded initiative that integrates sports and community facilities into a single high quality venue.

 

It should be the home to as many sports clubs and organisations as possible and provide a sport focus for the region whilst maximising the use of accommodation under stands.

 

In Aberdeen, it is suggested that any community stadium could be combined with a football academy for the North East of Scotland and complement the Regional Community Sports facility currently under development at Linksfield.

 

The case for a community stadium in Aberdeen

 

Reports due before members note that the effects of new stadia - and, in particular, community stadia - in British cities have been universally positive, providing major economic and social regeneration opportunities.

 

As with many of these projects, the Arena in Aberdeen is proposed to be much more than a sporting facility. If built, it would raise the city's profile in the eyes of potential investors; link to regeneration strategies in terms of employment, health and fitness, and enhance commercial activity.

 

The Arena also has the potential to deliver high quality architecture, adding to the cultural richness of AberdeenCity and Shire.

 

Officers say design should be of the highest quality - providing a lasting legacy for the citizens of Aberdeen and a development the city can take pride in.

 

In short, the aspiration is to create a facility that is much more than simply a football stadium and can be developed as an educational, training, social, recreational, employment and community hub in use seven days a week for the benefit of the region.

 

The venue would play a major part in further establishing the City and Shire on the national and international map.

 

The results of a City Voice questionnaire revealed overwhelming public support for a community stadium in Aberdeen. Nearly three quarters of those asked were in favour of the project.

 

Delivery

 

The current proposal has been developed in partnership with Aberdeen Football Club, which has provided 50% of all funding. It is envisaged that a joint venture between the club and Council would deliver the Arena, via a stadium management company.

 

The Arena would be home to the Dons, who would act as lead tenant. The development would also provide the opportunity for approximately 150,000 sq ft (14,000 sq m) of floor space for rent, which could include office, retail, hotel, sports, leisure and community facilities.

 

The capitalised rental from these uses would contribute to the overall cost of construction.

 

Capacity

 

The capacity of any new stadium should be sufficient to meet market demand and also allow for future growth.It is also essential that any new stadium be capable of expansion or conversion to host international events.

 

With this in mind, the outline business case has been developed on the principle of a capacity of 22,000 - in line with the present capacity at Pittodrie.

 

However, it is also recommended that the Scottish Government be approached to determine the likelihood of Scotland hosting international competition in the future.

 

If, for example, Scotland were to launch a bid to host the 2016 European Championships, it is likely that a minimum capacity of 30,000 would be required to allow Aberdeen to participate.

 

As neither the City Council or Aberdeen FC could justify the cost associated with providing 8,000 additional seats; it is suggested partners approach the Scottish Government to determine whether there is a real ambition to host such events and discuss the likelihood of contributions to fund the additional infrastructure.

 

Costs

 

The Outline Business case suggests the project could cost in the region of £53 million at today's prices - with suggested Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Football Club contributions at £8 million each.

 

The remaining funding could be realised through stadium revenues, development and planning gain.

 

It must be stressed, however, that these figures are indicative only. Further detailed feasibility is required to ascertain the total level of investment required to deliver the Arena, including assessment of other users and potential partners.

 

Site

 

The Arena Project Team originally looked at four potential locations - at King's Links, Bridge of Don, CalderPark and Loirston.

 

The Outline Business Case eliminates the Bridge of Don site due to existing commitment, site capacity and access issues.The CalderPark site is also eliminated due to existing power lines and pylons running along the south side of the site.

 

The sites at King's Links and Loirston remain as options, with officers recommending Loirston following a detailed comparison of planning issues, site assessment, access and deliverability.

 

Commenting on the above, AFC's Managing Director Duncan Fraser said, "There has been a huge amount of work undertaken behind the scenes by the partners in the Arena initiative in recent times, particularly in the last six months and it's a true example of a partnership working towards the greater good of the City & Shire.

 

"Now that a preferred site has been identified and a vehicle to deliver the project outlined and funding options, the hard work now begins.

 

"We look forward to working closely with the Council and other key stakeholders over the coming period, during which time there will undoubtedly be difficult decisions to make and massive challenges to be met. However the end goal here must surely be to overcome any difficulties we face and deliver a community stadium that will showcase the area as the most forward thinking in the country."

Not a bar in sight.

 

I hope the Cove residents moan like fuck.

MBT has cunning plan.

 

Open a "supporters" bar in Cove, retire early.

Load up with booze from Makro and sell cans out of the back of the car.

 

There'll be a party in the car park.

A good 4-5 years to build some pubs and decent transport links from the city centre!

A tram up Wellington road?

 

You'd be better with a cable car.

Wonder will we ground share with cove - with them selling their ground for development?

Kings links definately my preferred location - cos 5 mins from my hoose.

Wonder will the pitt bar survive if stadium moves to cove

More worried about the golf clubs, they will be in dire straights without the football boost they get.

Saw this on AFC chat - just had to give another 

You may laugh, but it's right enough. Or are you telling me that the 3 golf clubs and Pittodrie bar house 10,000+ every match day?

I'm pretty sure increased trade in ALL pubs in city centre resulting from fitba - including men in toon with the missus... she has a glass o wine, he has a pint and nips to the fitba - would run into the thousands.

I'd be very surprised. I'll refer you to slim's response that you couldn't be arsed quoting

 

Don't be so short sighted Tommy, we should be basing the entire future of the club on the basis of how easy it is for some people to have a pint before a match.

 

The plans are an outrage, some people will be forced to take a BUS! If that's not an infringement on peoples' human rights, I don't know what is.

but maybe these non-drinkin fitba fans are why pittodrie can be like a graveyard - it's all people like your fault!!!

Really? What an ignorant comment. Or do you have to be pissed to sing? I certainly enjoy a pint, but driving to Pittodrie makes that a non-starter. So not only do you assume I don't drink, but also that I wouldn't be a singer to boot. Maybe fans like you are why so few bother going?

If its anything like Inverness, pubs will put on free buses to take you to/from games in order to get you to drink in their pubs before and after games.

I think he meant to say 2 buses to get from the east of the city to cove - and I dread to think how long it would take to get said bus - people moan aout the time to get away from the game? 

 

Yes, because there's absolutely no chance that they'll even consider introducing further public transport links to a new stadium, we're stuck with the current routes and timetables we've got for all of eternity.

 

There are only 2 (already overused) roads from the north to cove, it will be a bottleneck and a nightmare.

 

We have the A90, which is a dual carriageway, we have Wellington Road, which will soon be a dual carriageway all the way up to its junction with the A90, and by the time the stadium is in use, we'll have the WPR which is also a dual carriageway. How can that possibly be a bad thing?  Far better than the single lane King Street and the single lane Beach Boulevard.

 

I think us locals will still drink in the pitt bar - unfortunately it is unlikely many saturday regulars will leave to go to the game.

 

Their loss, you can't structure a football club, and a business around the drinking habits of a couple of dozen people. You've had a football stadium on your doorstep for the last 100 years or so, someone else is going to get a shotty now, stop being selfish. People travel from all corners of the country to come to home games, you're complaining about going a few miles to somewhere that will have plenty of public transport support.

Falkirk has worked quite well for them, the rest never really had much of a fanbase to start with.

 

And it's hardly out of town, it's a 5 minute drive from the train station on a normal day.

 

The bypass has been approved, it will be built.

I expect attendances to go up.  They normally do when a new stadium is built.  Yes, its going to be a bit awkward for city centre fans to get to but as Slim says, by the time its built the infrastructure should be in place to make it easier.  I can definitely see more people with cars wanting to go to the new stadium, because it will be easier to get to, and to park at.  Plenty of time to put some bars/restaurants nearby as well.

 

Just think its a pity the train line is on the other side of Cove.

 

But on the whole the announcement is a very positive one.  Hope we see the new stadium and AWPR as promised!

I expect attendances to go up.  They normally do when a new stadium is built.  Yes, its going to be a bit awkward for city centre fans to get to but as Slim says, by the time its built the infrastructure should be in place to make it easier.  I can definitely see more people with cars wanting to go to the new stadium, because it will be easier to get to, and to park at.  Plenty of time to put some bars/restaurants nearby as well.

 

Just think its a pity the train line is on the other side of Cove.

 

But on the whole the announcement is a very positive one.  Hope we see the new stadium and AWPR as promised!

 

Unfortunate. Now, I may be wrong here and thinking of Glasgow too much, but have there been calls for a cross-rail in Aberdeen? If so, what did they propose?

Yes, because there's absolutely no chance that they'll even consider introducing further public transport links to a new stadium, we're stuck with the current routes and timetables we've got for all of eternity.

 

We have the A90, which is a dual carriageway, we have Wellington Road, which will soon be a dual carriageway all the way up to its junction with the A90, and by the time the stadium is in use, we'll have the WPR which is also a dual carriageway. How can that possibly be a bad thing?  Far better than the single lane King Street and the single lane Beach Boulevard.

 

Their loss, you can't structure a football club, and a business around the drinking habits of a couple of dozen people. You've had a football stadium on your doorstep for the last 100 years or so, someone else is going to get a shotty now, stop being selfish. People travel from all corners of the country to come to home games, you're complaining about going a few miles to somewhere that will have plenty of public transport support.

 

You was going well until the last paragraph...

 

You should structure a business around it's paying customers.

 

Why should someone else get a shotty?  (that comment may have been tongue in cheek)

 

Who cares where these people travel from in the country, it's a community stadium.  If they've came x hundred miles then a few more isn't going to stop them.  Whereas the alternative for the town's folk is 'out of sight, out of mind'.

 

Unfortunate. Now, I may be wrong here and thinking of Glasgow too much, but have there been calls for a cross-rail in Aberdeen? If so, what did they propose?

 

They are talking about it, but it was in the opposite direction from Cove.  Perhaps they will include the community stadium in future discussions about this.

Unfortunate. Now, I may be wrong here and thinking of Glasgow too much, but have there been calls for a cross-rail in Aberdeen? If so, what did they propose?

 

A new golf course, a community stadium, a bypass AND a cross-rail thingy?

 

We'll have evolved wings and took flight by the time that all gets built so we won't have any need for trains.

They are talking about it, but it was in the opposite direction from Cove.  Perhaps they will include the community stadium in future discussions about this.

 

What were their ideas for it? They should build a loop, kinda like the AWPR, but with trains, so it could link Westhill, Dyce, Ellon, and Cove. Or something.

We should build a monorail that goes round the city, just like Disneyland.

You was going well until the last paragraph...

 

You should structure a business around it's paying customers.

 

Yes, the majority of them, not those too stubborn to move from their comfy seat in front of the telly at the Pittodrie Bar. The percentage of those attending a match who drink in the pubs before the match and would be unwilling to travel to Cove because it's not handy would be quite low in my estimations. Low enough that the money saved from building on a brownfield site marked for development instead of digging up part of a golf course next to the beach will far outweigh that of the money spent from people willing to abaondon supporting their team because it means they'll miss out on having some pre-match beers.

 

Why should someone else get a shotty?  (that comment may have been tongue in cheek)

 

It was tongue in cheek, pointing out that he should be grateful for having the stadium on his doorstep in the first place, and it seems he's taken it for granted. He'll just have to do what thousands of other fans already have to do every other week.

 

Who cares where these people travel from in the country, it's a community stadium.  If they've came x hundred miles then a few more isn't going to stop them.  Whereas the alternative for the town's folk is 'out of sight, out of mind'.

 

 

It's going to be in a location where they'll be able to build all the facilities that will serve the community, it's a far larger area than the beach site and far more room for expansion to incorporate hotels, shops, offices, gyms, restaurants, etc, etc. They evaluated sites on all sides of the city and that was chosen as the most viable for a variety of reasons. There are always going to be people unhappy no matter what location is chosen, they've done their best to suit the majority.

 

And we do have a responsiblity to serve the rest of the country with providing easy access from other areas, especially if the Scottish government will be providing a lot of the funding and if we want to host national events.

It would be good if they could link into the development the proposed 50m pool and other sports facilities too.

What were their ideas for it? They should build a loop, kinda like the AWPR, but with trains, so it could link Westhill, Dyce, Ellon, and Cove. Or something.

 

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/06/10143649

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdeen_Crossrail

 

Not been talked about for a couple of years, but notice they were talking about extra stops on the Stonehaven route so who knows, this might all be back up for discussion again.

Yes, the majority of them, not those too stubborn to move from their comfy seat in front of the telly at the Pittodrie Bar. The percentage of those attending a match who drink in the pubs before the match and would be unwilling to travel to Cove because it's not handy would be quite low in my estimations. Low enough that the money saved from building on a brownfield site marked for development instead of digging up part of a golf course next to the beach will far outweigh that of the money spent from people willing to abaondon supporting their team because it means they'll miss out on having some pre-match beers.

 

It was tongue in cheek, pointing out that he should be grateful for having the stadium on his doorstep in the first place, and it seems he's taken it for granted. He'll just have to do what thousands of other fans already have to do every other week.

 

It's going to be in a location where they'll be able to build all the facilities that will serve the community, it's a far larger area than the beach site and far more room for expansion to incorporate hotels, shops, offices, gyms, restaurants, etc, etc. They evaluated sites on all sides of the city and that was chosen as the most viable for a variety of reasons. There are always going to be people unhappy no matter what location is chosen, they've done their best to suit the majority.

 

And we do have a responsiblity to serve the rest of the country with providing easy access from other areas, especially if the Scottish government will be providing a lot of the funding and if we want to host national events.

 

Yes, the majority of them, not those too stubborn to move from their comfy seat in front of the telly at the Pittodrie Bar. The percentage of those attending a match who drink in the pubs before the match and would be unwilling to travel to Cove because it's not handy would be quite low in my estimations. Low enough that the money saved from building on a brownfield site marked for development instead of digging up part of a golf course next to the beach will far outweigh that of the money spent from people willing to abaondon supporting their team because it means they'll miss out on having some pre-match beers.

 

Agree with all of that.

 

But you're missing the point that places in town be that watering holes, eateries, corner shops, bookies, taxi firms, etc.... will all lose the trade of these fans.  How can that be seen as a benefit the community?

 

It was tongue in cheek, pointing out that he should be grateful for having the stadium on his doorstep in the first place, and it seems he's taken it for granted. He'll just have to do what thousands of other fans already have to do every other week.

 

Why should we do what thousands of other fans do?

 

It's going to be in a location where they'll be able to build all the facilities that will serve the community, it's a far larger area than the beach site and far more room for expansion to incorporate hotels, shops, offices, gyms, restaurants, etc, etc. They evaluated sites on all sides of the city and that was chosen as the most viable for a variety of reasons. There are always going to be people unhappy no matter what location is chosen, they've done their best to suit the majority.

 

Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

 

They're looking to build a community stadium.  All this talk of shops, hotels, offices, gyms, restaurants, swimming pools, etc, etc.... what's all that for exactly?

 

To rake in more money?

 

People flock to the AECC for gigs and everyone is in agreement it's shite for acoustics, way out the road to get to, nightmare for getting a taxi back and unless you live in the Bridge of Don it's not walkable.

 

If they build a multi-purpose stadium, one which can hold various sporting and music events then you're already onto a winner.  The money will flood in and you won't need all that other shit, which won't be owned by the council anyway.

 

And we do have a responsiblity to serve the rest of the country with providing easy access from other areas, especially if the Scottish government will be providing a lot of the funding and if we want to host national events.

 

The beach is already recognised as a place for various facilities and very much geared towards families.  Why not improve on that further and then you'll have more people using any improved transport links every day of the week rather than once a fortnight.

The beach is already recognised as a place for various facilities and very much geared towards families.  Why not improve on that further and then you'll have more people using any improved transport links every day of the week rather than once a fortnight.

 

I have to agree with this, the beach is the ideal location for a football stadium in Aberdeen, considering what's down there already and what space there is that's not being used to it's full potential.  For starters, get Kings Links to f*ck and utilise that space, get Chris Anderson stadium sorted out as a decent leisure facility and sort out transport down to that area.

 

With Union Square opening in the next 24 months, and less than 10 mins walk to the beach, it would make perfect sense to keep the stadium at the beach.