There have been no talks between Aberdeen FC and council officials on a new stadium at the beach since a row over cash last year.
The Dons and the local authority appear to be at a stalemate over proposals for a new ground, which was originally presented as the centrepiece of a multi-million-pound vision for the seafront.
The club was persuaded by the idea of relocating to the beach, just yards away from its historic Pittodrie home, instead of building at Kingsford.
But this was based on the understanding that an element of public funding would help cover mammoth £80 million construction costs.
That was torpedoed in late 2022 when the council’s SNP and Liberal Democrat rulers explicitly vowed not to pledge any cash towards the scheme.
Dons chiefs said the council leaders were “missing the point”, referencing the billion-pound boost a new home for the side could bring the city.
Last week, it emerged that officers had reworded any reference to it, now terming it a “potential stadium”.
And five months on from the headline-grabbing funding dispute, both sides remain in a stand-off.
What’s happening with new ground?
During crunch talks today, officers were asked if there had been any movement on the major proposals.
Leader of the Conservative group, Ryan Houghton, said a lot of people “want to know what’s happening” with the “significant” part of the beach masterplan.
He asked: “Has there been any recent discussion with the club, and what have the fruits of that been?”
‘No talks’ between Aberdeen FC and council on beach stadium vision
Chief procurement officer, Craig Innes, explained that the ground formed part of a “jigsaw puzzle” currently being plotted out along the shore.
Mr Innes said the recent focus had been on forming the framework for how each stage of the development will take shape.
With that dominating officers’ time, the Dons stadium has been left on the backburner for now.
Talks to resume in coming months
Mr Innes continued: “In December, we got the go-ahead to move these projects onto the next stage.
“We will pick up conversations with all stakeholders, but we have not picked that up with the football club this calendar year.”
And he downplayed concerns that the recent change in phraseology indicated any growing scepticism towards the ground.
Would public turn against beach plans if stadium isn’t included?
Lower Deeside Tory councillor Duncan Massey pointed out that much of the public backing for the overall beach masterplan stems from the football stadium.
Should that be removed from the equation, he suggested, people might sour on the major proposals.
Mr Massey said: “If there is a risk to those later stages [including the stadium] then there could be a risk to the attractiveness of the overall plans.
“The football stadium has been important in attracting attention for the project”.
At the December meeting, members voted to press ahead with the £150 million regeneration programme – including the ground.
But, coming just weeks after leaders drew a line in the sand over funding, there was no mention of how it would be paid for.
What happens next?
A business case for the stadium is currently being prepared, which will go before councillors in August.
The study could prove crucial in determining whether the authority could be persuaded into a U-turn on investment.
In the past, Dons chairman Dave Cormack told us he “remains committed” to working with the authority
He added: “We must have bold, ambitious projects that provide the amenities and facilities which will entice people to come here to work, live and play.
“The stadium at the beach is not simply about a home for Aberdeen FC, instead it’s a genuine community asset.”
The meeting came days after a new dossier was published outlining images for how a new stadium at the beach would look.
You can see the papers here, and watch the meeting here.
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