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's a cronic shortage of beds in hotels midweek in Aberdeen.  Another hotel anywhere is bound to do well.

I agree, it'll be run by a hotel chain.

you could build a thousand bedroom hotel in aberdeen and it would still be full on crew change days.

Experienced business men who got us into serious debt - and have been running the company at a loss for over a decade.

And it's still running, they must be doing something right then. I believe Wiggy is one of the richest men in Scotland, must have some idea what he's doing I presume?

 

...or why would you spin it positively - is everything really that rosy at Bolton?

 

Ok, simple question, why assume there wouldn't be a hotel, when it's been stated there would be? Why assume that no-one would run it, when that's the least likely scenario? AFC even said they were modelling the project on the Reebok. So do we assume thyere will be offices and a leased hotel as they have stated, or do we assume the opposite?

 

That's why you would spin it positively, because it's not spin, it's making an assumption based on all the points brought publicly, whereas ST just wanted to say it would be crap because he doesn't like the Cove idea.

...or why would you spin it positively - is everything really that rosy at Bolton?

 

Experienced business men who got us into serious debt - and have been running the company at a loss for over a decade.

 

Went for lunch and you've saved me the bother of posting the above. 

 

AFC are going to stump up money for a share in the stadium and then wipe the debt with the rest.

 

Unless the hotel is somehow part of the stadium then there's no way they'll be chipping in money for another building alongside the stadium.

 

If building a hotel was the way to make money then why haven't the club done so already?

 

Like I said, it's a red herring.

That's why you would spin it positively, because it's not spin, it's making an assumption based on all the points brought publicly, whereas ST just wanted to say it would be crap because he doesn't like the Cove idea.

 

You're missing the point entirely.

 

Yes I'd prefer it down the beach but I just don't want people wanting it at Cove purely because they think they'll end up with some super-complex with bells and whistles when at the end of the day, all AFC will be getting the use of a stadium every couple of weekends and a couple days training each week.

 

Why even have a hotel at a stadium?

 

Very few travelling fans will stay there as it's just as easy to travel home after the game.  Anyway, would you stay at Rangers Towers or Hearts Hotel if there were such places, knowing you're pumping more money into their bank accounts?

ST - the idea of the hotel isn't just for fitba fans - it's for the 100's of oil folk travelling through every day - they even had to put folk up on ancruise boat moored off peterheid during offshore europe.  A hotel would be very busy - would AFC see any revenue from it - probably only a very small amount, if anything

 

I know what a hotel is for min. 

 

I just don't understand the need for one at a community stadium?

 

If it's so we can house oil workers and they choose the Cove site as there's no room down the beach for it alongside the stadium, then I smell shite.

I just don't understand the need for one at a community stadium?

 

If it's so we can house oil workers and they choose the Cove site as there's no room down the beach for it alongside the stadium, then I smell shite.

FFS, it wont be alongside the stadium, it will be part of the stadium. What the hell is so difficult to understand. And revenue share, no I doubt they'll get revenue share, it will be leased, but as I'd already posted that, why bother repeating the same thing again?

 

Why build it as part of the stadium? 1. Leasehold revenue. 2. Makes revenue generating use of the space under the stands, as will the office space on one or more of the other stands.

 

What's currently under the south stand for example? Nothing, just earth and foundations, which is a waste of footage and loss of potential revenue generating activity.

FFS, it wont be alongside the stadium, it will be part of the stadium. What the hell is so difficult to understand. And revenue share, no I doubt they'll get revenue share, it will be leased, but as I'd already posted that, why bother repeating the same thing again?

 

Why build it as part of the stadium? 1. Leasehold revenue. 2. Makes revenue generating use of the space under the stands, as will the office space on one or more of the other stands.

 

What's currently under the south stand for example? Nothing, just earth and foundations, which is a waste of footage and loss of potential revenue generating activity.

 

So if it's nothing to do with space, then why the hard-on for Cove?

Where's the space down the beach for a stadium, training facilities and a hotel?

Where's the space down the beach for a stadium, training facilities and a hotel?

 

They're knocking down the Broadhill.

 

And the leisure centre.

 

And they're going to use the Beach Ballroom as a sort of Craven Cottage.

If Bolton were building it, they'd build it in cove! 

grow up you twat. And as ever uninformed, they built the Reebok in Horwich, a bit further out than Cove actually. 

So if it's nothing to do with space, then why the hard-on for Cove?

And where have you seen my hard-on for Cove? I already said I would probably just about favour the beach over Cove, but just. I just fail to believe the nonsense spouted on here by a few who will no longer be able to walk to the ground. Cove will provide much greater space to park, much better access for the majority of paying punters. 

I don't think anyone really complained about not getting a pint or certainly meant it without being a little tongue-in-cheek.

 

As for the greater access, that'll only apply to those travelling from the South.  Ask the thousands of Reds from Ellon, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Turriff, etc... what they think.

 

As far as I'm aware, Montrose, Brechin, Arbroath, etc are mostly all Dundee/United fans.

 

I doubt very much that it'll have an impact on those who already travel from these towns but you could probably add an hour onto the journey time and as they'll be going through Aberdeen to get there, it'll only make the traffic worse on the busiest day of the week.

As for the greater access, that'll only apply to those travelling from the South.  Ask the thousands of Reds from Ellon, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Turriff, etc... what they think.

 

Probably quicker to get to Cove once the bypass is in place.

I don't think anyone really complained about not getting a pint or certainly meant it without being a little tongue-in-cheek.

 

As for the greater access, that'll only apply to those travelling from the South.  Ask the thousands of Reds from Ellon, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Turriff, etc... what they think.

 

As far as I'm aware, Montrose, Brechin, Arbroath, etc are mostly all Dundee/United fans.

 

I doubt very much that it'll have an impact on those who already travel from these towns but you could probably add an hour onto the journey time and as they'll be going through Aberdeen to get there, it'll only make the traffic worse on the busiest day of the week.

as kowalski says, the bypass will be in situ by then, but even if not, anyone from the west will either be coming along South Deeside Road, so quicker for them, the Tarland/Alford roads, again they will either cut across through Culter way or turn down the drive at Kepplestone, Cove will be quicker.

 

Then you get those coming from the Inverurie corridor, if they head all the way to the Haudagin, from there to Cove, or there to Linksfield will be pretty similar when you take in that you have to hunt the parking space, then hoof it at Pittodrie.

 

The ones that will suffer are the town centre, north side of city, and vanderark14 and his pals from the Peterhead/Fraserburgh way who will undoubtedly be worse off, but then those from the south will be better off. I doubt Stoney/Newtonhill & Glaslethen make up as many Dons as the north side, but I'd be a little surprised if the majority didn't find Cove easier. If the WPT is up, it's no contest for anyone that drives, it will be easier.

The bypass may be easier but will it really be any quicker than cutting through town rather than circumnavigating it all the way to Cove?

 

I just think that site has been chosen with no regards to financial gain for the club, footballing reasons or the fans.

 

I fully expect that also to be the case when it comes to building the stadium.  This has the chance to be fantastic but I just can't see it being the case unless you're in it for personal gain.

The bypass may be easier but will it really be any quicker than cutting through town rather than circumnavigating it all the way to Cove?

 

I just think that site has been chosen with no regards to financial gain for the club, footballing reasons or the fans.

 

I fully expect that also to be the case when it comes to building the stadium.  This has the chance to be fantastic but I just can't see it being the case unless you're in it for personal gain.

Oh come on now, the club have effectively chosen it for no reason at all?

The club or board of directors who think that selling our greatest asset, is the only way to get out of the financial mess, that they've got us into?

The club or board of directors who think that selling our greatest asset, is the only way to get out of the financial mess, that they've got us into?

Assets are no good if you stick them in the cupboard and just look at them. They're selling it to re-invest in a new stadium, yes they will no longer be sole owners, but then the bank effectively owns Todders now, and going forward Cove (or wherever) will be a modern stadium that provides other revenue streams not wholly connected to the football. Yes Pittodrie has a little of that now, but very very little compared to the football income.

 

I'm sure if all Dons fans were polled, and all options were viable, I doubt a single one would vote against a total refurb of Pittodrie, but that's impossible apparently, so we have to move on.

 

I admit I was no fan of the out of town stadium idea originally, but moving to England has opened my eyes. I'd far rather go to a Reebok or Ricoh, than a St.Andrews or Anfield.

In my opinion English football is a total sell out. "Cacio di merda!" - as Italian ultras groupes have called it.

 

It's over-rated pish I'll grant you, that has nothing to do with how good the stadiums are though, and the new beats the old hands down.

 

It's over-rated pish I'll grant you, that has nothing to do with how good the stadiums are though, and the new beats the old hands down.

 

Course it is.

 

But I still haven't seen a decent reason for having a community stadium out of town.

Because the new beats the old, dummy! 

 

...and I'm still waiting to hear if everything is rosy at the reebok?

 

There used to be a bloke at my work who we called "rosy toes" , he wore reeboks - and his feet stunk!!! Coincidence?!? 

I posted this on Thursday

 

Exactly Bilbo, it's the same nonsense you hear and read every time a club proposes a new stadium that isn't in the footprint of the old one. The only fans that complain about the Ricoh, Reebok, Kingston Stadium or Emirates, are those that now have further to travel, but for every fan that has further to go, another fan will be nearer, and ALL of these (pand Cove) will have better parking, so more people can actually go there easily, which can only increase the numbers attending.

 

Yes it would be nice to still be at the traditional spot, but even at the beach, it's not going to be in the Pittodrie footprint, so it won't really be "Pittodrie" will it? So given that, the " traditional" arguement goes out the window.

I meant more in the business sense? Are attendances up or down since the move? Do the surrounding businesses profit? What has happened to the area where the stadium used to be - has trade suffered there?

 

Cannae find anything on wikipedia and that's aboot the limit of my interest.  Was asking cos you seem itk aboot Bolton and seem keen to draw comparisons.

 

Funny, here's a little quote I found, which is eerily reminiscent of the recent statements from the Dons.

 

The idea of building a sports related complex in Bolton had been an ambition of Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council for many years but without private sector backing it would remain a only dream...

 

When Bolton Wanderers Football Club were promoted to the English Premiership in 1993 they were faced with the task of either improving their old stadium at Burnden Park or relocating to a new stadium in order to meet the health and safety requirements of the Taylor Report.

 

Feasibility studies showed that Burnden Park could not be converted or remodelled at a reasonable cost and therefore the decision was taken by Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council and Bolton Wanderers Football Club to move from their old stadium at Burnden Park and build a new state-of-the-art stadium at Middlebrook.

 

Are attendances up? Yes they were Because it coincided with promotion over the last ten years to the Prem, but they've dropped the last couple of seasons because the football on offer in the EPL is generally dire, and fans are seeing through Sky's hype now.

 

Is it a popular move? See this very thread, change the location from Aberdeen/Cove to Bolton/Horwich and you'll get the exact same arguments as I've already stated earlier. The majority of naysayers are those who had a short walk to Burnden and go on about having a pint, and traditional location, standing instead of sitting (like they would still be standing at Burnden? ) and the problems getting to Horwich (further away than Cove btw.). But for every one who has been inconvenienced there are those who havn't.

 

I've only been here just over 3 years, so Burnden was never an option, but my first visit to the Reebok I loved it and I was immediately won over the the modern stadium, contrast that with my first visit to StAndrews for example, which is a dump. If Bolton were still at Burnden I may not be a season ticket holder due to the hassle getting there. Pittodrie is much better than StAndrews, but much worse than the Reebok (or Ricoh built by the same company) in terms of venue, accessibility and location.

 

Is it a success? Yes, busy hotel, regular other events at the 'Bok, and office space that is largely, although not fully rented out. Exec boxes on both wing stands that are usually fully occupied. Anyone who wants to drive can park right by the stadium, or in the adjacent retail complex which is very busy but nothing to do with BWFC. New pubs have also sprung up just across the access road to the Reebok on the railway station side, these however are packed on match days, so many fans drink nearer Horwich then come down, beer of course is served inside the ground in England, so for me I don't care, I buy the Reebok lager instead and can take my seat and get served hassle free.

 

What's left at Burnden? Asda I believe, but nothing disastrous has befallen the area since Bolton moved, except for those who want to be 5 minutes from the ground.

The same applies to other grounds in the EPL, like Boro, Makems and Wigan. Pretty similar scenarios.

Well, today's the day when the outline application goes up in front of the cooncilers.

 

So we'll be hearing the results of this in January then.