Industry News

Aberdeen awards first construction contract for new stadium

Scottish Premiership football club Aberdeen has awarded the first construction contract for its new stadium to McIntosh Plant Hire as it seeks to begin work on the project this summer.

McIntosh will carry out earthworks and ground remediation in preparation for the construction of a new community sports hub and training facilities.

Scottish newspaper the Herald said the first phase of the project, valued at £10m (€11.4m/$13.4m), will include construction of a training pavilion, groundsman’s accommodation, three professional training pitches, two 3G pitches and two grass pitches.

Bert McIntosh, joint founding director of the firm, said: “The commitment by AFC to providing much-needed space and facilities for the community makes the whole project even more compelling and something we are proud to be part of.

“We hope to get work under way as soon as possible and will be securing the site in the next few days.”

The appointment marks a big step forward for Aberdeen, which has faced heavy criticism from various parties over plans to build the new stadium at Kingsford.

Some local residents said the complex would have an adverse impact on traffic and result in the loss of green belt land, but the council approved the plans back in January and Aberdeen in April secured planning permission for the work.

Aberdeen hopes to relocate from Pittodrie, where it has been based since 1903, to the new facility by the autumn of next year.

The club is hoping to appoint a principal contractor for the project in the near future, with contracts also being let for sub-contractors to carry out various work packages at the site.

Image: Aberdeen FC