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."

There is no mention of parking getting built at the new stadium so how would parking improve.

The is no mention of improved public transport links - except a possible link to the park-and-rides.

The "football academy" part doesn't actually mention brick and mortar.

 

No mention of hotels, gyms, etc - all this is speculation.

 

 

I can assure you that car parking and improved transport lonks is part of the proposal.

 

The hotel is also part of the stadium.

 

Just because these things are not mentioned in the initial press release does not mean they have not been provided for.

lonks is part of the proposal.

 

 

The more lonks the better mate. Lonks in abundance might cheer these miserable cunts up!

Any change or move will always meet with resistence.  Nobody wants to move but circumstances dictate we have to and accepted that a few years ago when Keith Wyness did an open night about relocating when Kingswells was the preferred option.

 

Still not sure Cove is the best area but in our state don't think we can be too choosy when it may just be the council and others saving the future of AFC.

When did we become a buying club?

 

No, you just seem to have lost your visionary Gregory's and put on your tight-fisted Aberdonian cunt's glasses back on!

 

When did we last sell a player for any decent money?

 

Tight-fisted bloo_toon cunt if you don't mind.

The more lonks the better mate. Lonks in abundance might cheer these miserable cunts up!

 

 

 

Is it a detailed planning application that has been submitted or simply an outline application?  I'm thinking given the lack of details that it is the latter?

EDIT:

 

Just checked and it is neither.

 

Therefore it will be months and months before this sees the light of day.  We'll be lucky if a planning application is in by this time next year.

When did we last sell a player for any decent money?

 

Tight-fisted bloo_toon cunt if you don't mind.

 

Erm, do I really need to answer that?

 

Amnesiac, tight-fisted, moaning faced Bloo_Toon cunt!

Are you Stoney from BNP-Chat?

No he's RealFan

Doesn't matter where we move to, there is always going to be some folk unhappy.  Staying in the beach area would have met some sort of resistance too.  As a golfer, I certainly wouldn't have been happy if the Kings Links was to be removed, although as someone said it was perhaps the driving range and cricket pitch that were in doubt.  And everybody knows cricket is not a sport!

 

Anyway, I am prepared to see exactly what the plans are including transport "lonks".  Slating it before any real plans are in place is a bit foolish IMHO.

Lonks are the future.  I've tasted it.

Lonks are the future.  I've tasted it.

 

Aha, changed glasses again!

 

 

Aha, changed glasses again!

 

 

 

You don't need glasses to see my lonks - THEY'RE MASSIVE!

Am I fuck?!?!?

Same avatar, and picked up on my pub related quotes at the same time on both forums, quoted and repled there, copied it over to here. Guilty.

I've just googled lonks and whilst confused about what the fuck i was talking about i'm excited.

 

This is a Lonk:

 

 

I have no idea about this:

 

http://www.geocities.com/sage_tripper/lonks.htm

 

You don't need glasses to see my lonks - THEY'RE MASSIVE!

 

Only cos they don't get emptied!

Only cos they don't get emptied!

 

My money, my lonks, my decision.

 

Kapeesh?

My money, my lonks, my decision.

 

Kapeesh?

 

But you got thrown out of the brothel too!

bullshit... and fit wid I be guilty of?

being the same person.

 

 

 

 

RealFan[/b]' date='Dec 12 2007, 02:40 PM' post='196213']

"The majority of fans won't be worried about a pint, there's more to going to the match than going to the pub. "

 

:hysterical:

 

Saw this on AFC chat - just had to give another 

 

 

Four minutes apart, same avatar, same ott response to my opinion. Same guy.

 

 

 

 

Play nice children.

ha ha ha - get a life!

Got one thanks, I don't go trolling the forums to cross post something from elsewhere (well this apart, but then that's to prove the point), you did that with my post on AFC Chat, why I don't know, it obviously gave you some kicks?

PROPOSAL FOR STADIUM TWO

 

12:00 - 13 December 2007

A Second stadium could be built beside the new £53 million home of the Dons.

 

Sources close to the project revealed plans for a smaller football ground close to the proposed 22,000-seater arena near Cove.

 

It is understood the second stadium would have 3,000 seats and be used by local clubs like Cove Rangers.

 

The Highland League team had already signalled its intention to build a new stadium before the preferred location for the community arena - a joint project by the football club and city council - was exclusively revealed in the Evening Express yesterday.

 

A source said today: "There is a sketch of a smaller stadium alongside the £53 million community facility.

 

"At this stage it is not clear if it will be part of the planning application for now, or if another application will be lodged at a later stage."

 

Another source said: "The community stadium will need to cater for as many sporting organisations as possible, but of course you cannot have a small team playing in front of more than 20,000 empty seats."

 

He said the level of involvement Cove Rangers might have was so far "undetermined".

 

"Whether they incorporate their existing plans into these is another matter," he added.

 

Cove Rangers chairman Keith Moorhouse said it was still his club's intention to build a 5,000-seater facility at Calder Park which is close to the community arena site.

 

But he added: "If the community development is going to be so close to our site then I would have to keep our options open."

The £53 million plan at Loirston Loch also includes a football academy, hotel and conference facilities.

 

Fans have given the plan a mixed reaction.

 

George Abel, 47, chairman of Ullevi Dons, Laurencekirk, said: "The new site could be fine but I would prefer the Dons to stay where they are."

 

George Duncan, 44, AFC Supporters Trust chairman, of Inverurie, said: "I would have preferred the site to have been at Kings Links, but you have to look past that and see it as a positive thing for the club."

 

The consultant behind the project, former Coventry City managing director Paul Fletcher, believes that if approved, it will be one of the most exciting developments to hit Aberdeen.

 

He already has an impressive record of involvement in other high-profile schemes, including masterminding the building of the Alfred McAlpine Stadium - voted Building of the Year in 1995.

 

Mr Fletcher also spent two years working on the Reebok Stadium in Bolton before working on London's controversial new Wembley Stadium. He resigned after two years as he felt it was "too costly" and "too late".

 

For the last six years he has worked on Coventry's Ricoh Arena

 

"A lot of clubs redevelop their existing stadia but this is not possible at Pittodrie," Mr Fletcher said.

 

"A fantastic city like Aberdeen needs a fantastic new facility.

 

"It is not just for the team, it is for the community.

 

"Huddersfield has a golf range, health and fitness club and conference and banqueting facilities for example."

 

He said Cove was a beautiful area on the southern approach to Aberdeen and a stadium would be "a landmark building for the city".

 

He added: "It would make a statement that Aberdeen is buoyant, business is good and it's building for the future."

 

There would be no regrets from Aberdonians when stars like Rod Stewart lined up to perform, he added.

 

On the football front the stadium guru said: "Can the Dons stay in European football without an up-to-date stadium?

 

"Aberdeen has a responsibility for this project. Its football club carries its name."

we won't see the plans until after the club has spent 300,000 on a feasibility study, then spent prob approaching a million or architects.

Will it get past 19 Dec, probably - that won't cost the council anything.  Will it get further, I can't say - but I hope we're not pissing money down the drain.  Ach - I've said my tuppence worth now... I'm getting back to my retail park, sky tv life where I go everywhere in my car and sit like a zombie eating convenience food and watching reality television and getting as many lonks as I can, whenever I can.     

 

I thought it said that if given the go ahead next wed BOTH the council and AFC would put in £300,000 towards the feasability study.

 

It's all very well saying that we could redevelop Pittodrie but my understanding was that this was always a total non-starter given our debt, the fact that the club allowed the gas works and timber yard to be bought up and built on over the years and also due to uefa, fifa and IRB regulations regarding the size of the pitch and run-off areas.

 

Pittodrie is a dump and redveloping it would just no be worth our while so as far as I'm concerned we HAVE to move to a new stadium, preferably in partnership with council, thus splitting the liabilities and given us a chance to restructure our finances from the mess of the last 20years.

 

The only real question for me is where.

Coming from Glasgow/Banchory the travelling issue doesn't really affect me and it seems that many, if not all of the oppostion to the Cove idea is based on personal interest and prejudices rather than on what will be best for the club.  Moaning about Cove because you can't go to the Pittodrie Bar, Bobbin or the Broadhill is just crazy IMHO

 

There are pros and cons to both a stadium at the Kings Links or Cove and in the end I presume the decision has been made due to the potential of a more extensive development and thus larger finacial rewards by building "out of town".

I don't think a new stadium will suddenly add 3-4,000 on to our crowds, but equally I can't see it knocking any off either.  Falkirk essentially sell out there ground every week and it is in Grangemouth. Caley get pretty reasonable crowds and there is just about in the Sea. 

 

As I believe we need to move I'm delighted at the announcement this week and take it as the most positive thing to come out of pittodrie in some time.  Having said that, I'll believe it when I see the first brick going down.

I thought it said that if given the go ahead next wed BOTH the council and AFC would put in £300,000 towards the feasability study.

 

It's all very well saying that we could redevelop Pittodrie but my understanding was that this was always a total non-starter given our debt, the fact that the club allowed the gas works and timber yard to be bought up and built on over the years and also due to uefa, fifa and IRB regulations regarding the size of the pitch and run-off areas.

 

Pittodrie is a dump and redveloping it would just no be worth our while so as far as I'm concerned we HAVE to move to a new stadium, preferably in partnership with council, thus splitting the liabilities and given us a chance to restructure our finances from the mess of the last 20years.

 

The only real question for me is where.

Coming from Glasgow/Banchory the travelling issue doesn't really affect me and it seems that many, if not all of the oppostion to the Cove idea is based on personal interest and prejudices rather than on what will be best for the club.  Moaning about Cove because you can't go to the Pittodrie Bar, Bobbin or the Broadhill is just crazy IMHO

 

There are pros and cons to both a stadium at the Kings Links or Cove and in the end I presume the decision has been made due to the potential of a more extensive development and thus larger finacial rewards by building "out of town".

I don't think a new stadium will suddenly add 3-4,000 on to our crowds, but equally I can't see it knocking any off either.  Falkirk essentially sell out there ground every week and it is in Grangemouth. Caley get pretty reasonable crowds and there is just about in the Sea. 

 

As I believe we need to move I'm delighted at the announcement this week and take it as the most positive thing to come out of pittodrie in some time.  Having said that, I'll believe it when I see the first brick going down.

 

I almost believed you there!

Coming from Glasgow/Banchory the travelling issue doesn't really affect me and it seems that many, if not all of the oppostion to the Cove idea is based on personal interest and prejudices rather than on what will be best for the club.  Moaning about Cove because you can't go to the Pittodrie Bar, Bobbin or the Broadhill is just crazy IMHO

:clap:

I almost believed you there!

but they do for a made up pretendy team in a town full of inbred deer fuckers