Aberdeen estimate that over £1billion will be injected into the local economy over the next half-century should plans for a new stadium go through over the next few years in replacement of Pittodrie.
With the Dons looking to leave Pittodrie in the future, plans for a new stadium at Kingswell, to the west of the city, had been afoot for quite some time. However, COVID-19 had disrupted those plans, with a new stadium design on the beachfront revealed instead despite construction already taking place at the initial site.
As a result, the club are to stay closer to their Pittodrie home, a move which was welcomed by fans and the council. With a new stadium being touted since the turn of the century, officials of the Scottish Premiership club know they must choose the right tools for the club to start their new home in. And with new projected figures being announced, impressive could benefit those involved almost immediately.
The report by the club states that at least £1b will be pumped into the economy over the next 50 years, generating a footfall of £38m. The move would incorporate a new ground, leisure complex supporting 260 new jobs, £6m per year in salaries and £14.3m of gross value added per year - alongside £80m being generated in construction with 400 jobs also being added.
With almost double the amount of visits to Pittodrie per year being the target, chairman Dave Cormack waxed lyrical about the potential uplift the move would improve the city. He said: “Evidence shows that successful regeneration projects need a centrepiece. This is one of the reasons Aberdeen City Council approached us about staying in the city with a stadium that would be a catalyst for the wider revitalisation of the beach and its connectivity with the city centre.
“A new, net-zero, sea-facing stadium would drive the footfall necessary to enable the regeneration of the beachfront, including a potential urban park, refurbishment of the beach ballroom and the creation of superior leisure facilities so that the area becomes a true destination.
“Underlining Aberdeen’s ambition as a forward-thinking city, the proposed stadium and community leisure facilities would send out a positive signal about being open for business and investment while, internally, boosting civic pride and supporting the health and well-being of citizens.
“And with the economic report highlighting that a new stadium would deliver at least £1bn of economic uplift to the city over the next few decades, this clearly demonstrates the club’s ability to be of significant benefit to Aberdeen, including being an excellent community partner.”
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