ABERDEEN’S hotel and leisure sector has backed the bid for a new football stadium in the city as councillors prepare vote on the plan.
Aberdeen Football Club (AFC) aim to build a new centre at Kingsford, near Westhill.
Yesterday a key business body urged politicians not to show it a red card.
Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association claims the proposals would have a positive impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors, which have suffered a downturn as a result of reduced activity in the oil and gas sector.
Bars including Soul and The Foundry have also expressed their support for the plans, stating they do not believe the long-discussed move from the club’s Pittodrie home would impact on city-centre pubs.
Gary Atkinson, chairman of Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association, said: “Aberdeen Football Club plays a significant role in raising the profile of the region and contributes in no small measure to our economy.
“The club has been seeking a new home for far too long and it is quite apparent that the club and the region cannot wait any longer for these new facilities to be delivered.”
He went on: “The proposed training, community and stadium facilities at Kingsford, represent a £50 million private-sector investment in the region at a time when we urgently need investment and economic stimulus.
“The plans at Kingsford would send out a strong signal that our region is open for business and confidence in our future.
“This much-needed confidence will spill over into other sectors, including hospitality and tourism, both of which are vital to the future sustainability of this area and our ability to attract incomers.”
AFC is proposing to build a stadium with on-site training facilities for use by its players and the community.
The proposals, which come before the council next month, would create a 20,000-capacity venue with three professional training pitches, two community 3G pitches, a community pavilion with changing facilities and a gym.
Retail and cafe facilities are also planned, along with a club museum and memorial garden as well as parking.
If allowed, the club aims to complete the community campus and training academy next year, and deliver the new stadium in time for the season kick-off in 2020-21.
Paul Clarkson, operations director at PB Devco, which owns Soul on Union Street, said: “The journey may take slightly longer, but people will still arrange to meet in the city centre before and then migrate back into it after a game.”
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