Beachfront Aberdeen stadium could cost double that of Kingsford, but create £1bn
It could also host concerts and international football and rugby matches
A new Aberdeen FC stadium at the beach could boost the local economy to the tune of £1 billion, according to an economic report released by the club.
But it could cost twice as much to build - around £80 million - than the previously proposed Kingsford Stadium plans, which had a projected cost of about £40 million.
Capacity would be somewhere between 16,000 and 18,000, which is 2,000 less than what was projected for the Kingsford ground.
However, estimated annual visitors to the stadium would almost double to around 750,000.
That's in comparison to Pittodrie, which welcomes around 400,000 visitors per year at present.
Aberdeen could be 'open for business'
Chairman of Aberdeen FC, Dave Cormack, spoke glowingly of the report, both in a financial and community sense.
"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", Cormack added.
"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."
The club must stay in the city
Adding to the Chairman's comments, Fergus Mutch, policy adviser for Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said that a stadium at the heart of the city's regeneration is vital to supporting local businesses.
"The report shows how the proposed development will create new jobs and generate additional income in the economy through new construction activity, increasing footfall, retaining and increasing local spend in the city, encouraging the growth of existing businesses and the creation of new ones and attracting new visitors.
"Aberdeen cannot afford to lose the Club from the city.
"Retaining Aberdeen FC in our city centre is becoming more critical by the day as uncertainty grows around the future of two of our shopping centres and Union Street falls further into decline.
"Public finances are being squeezed like never before, but we must invest in capital projects like this which will enhance our city and secure our future prosperity."