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Council to ‘pick up talks’ with the Dons on beach stadium as officials confirm there’s been no contact ALL YEAR

One Aberdeen councillor was silenced as he pressed for answers on the replacement for Pittodrie.

Council bosses are accused of growing cold on the idea of a Dons stadium at the beach
The replacement would be built on ground along from the Beach Ballroom, seen here behind Pittodrie. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Council top brass have vowed to “pick up talks” with Dons chiefs amid claims the local authority is “growing cold” on a new stadium at the beach.

A replacement for Pittodrie has been touted as part of major plans to enhance the seafront.

However, club management say any such development would be reliant on the council stumping up some cash to help out.

And although the ground could cost as much as £80 million, an economic report estimated it would bring Aberdeen a billion-pound boost.

However, the council’s SNP and Liberal Democrat leaders are opposed to parting with a single penny towards the development – which is popular among supporters.

Last week, despairing Dons boss Dave Cormack issued an emotional plea for councillors to see the benefits of contributing to the ground.

An impression of how a new Aberdeen stadium could sit along the seafront
An impression of how a new Aberdeen stadium could sit along the seafront. Image: Aberdeen City Council 

Is council now opposed to new Aberdeen beach stadium?

When elected members met today, Conservative councillor Ryan Houghton pressed senior management for answers.

Chief commercial officer, Craig Innes, might have experienced deja vu as he replied.

During a similar inquisition in April, he told Mr Houghton that there had been no talks with Reds officials “this calendar year”.

Four months on, he said that was “still the position”.

Dave Cormack is pleading for a joined up approach. Image: Wullie Marr / DC Thomson

Aberdeen council boss vows to ‘pick up discussions’ on new Dons stadium

However, he added: “The football stadium is still within the framework, and that discussion will be picked up with the football club as we move forward with various projects.”

Mr Houghton questioned whether there had been “any direction” from SNP and Liberal Democrat administration members to engage with the side.

He added: “I can start to understand why people think the council has gone cold on the idea.”

The land by the beach where the new ground would be built.
The land by the beach where the new ground would be built. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Is ‘crystal ball’ needed to predict what will happen in saga?

The Tory later pressed resources director Steve Whyte on whether it was “likely or unlikely” that the council would partner with Aberdeen FC on the new stadium.

Lib Deam leader Ian Yuill, who has previously been outspokenly against the idea of helping to fund the arena, interjected.

He said: “As wonderful as Mr Whyte is, I think Mr Houghton is expecting him to have a crystal ball.”

Mr Whyte said the decision would be for councillors to vote on in the future.

An impression of how a new Dons stadium could look from above if council bosses forge ahead with the Aberdeen beach plans.

‘You’re flogging that one to death’

The SNP’s Lord Provost David Cameron later silenced the Conservative leader as he continued to probe for answers.

Eager to change the subject, Mr Cameron said his political opponent was “flogging that one to death”.

SNP group leader Christian Allard said “the door was open” to the Dons, and his party “will meet them at any time”.

He said a meeting with the Dons chairman had been pencilled in before Mr Cormack had to have major heart surgery this winter.

It comes after Mr Allard previously said there would be “no change in direction” when it comes to paying for the ground.

‘Sadly Dons have conducted negotiations via the press’

Mr Yuill agreed that council leaders would be “delighted” to talk with Dons management and “hear their ideas”.

But he criticised Mr Cormack for raising his concerns in the Press and Journal.

Our front page didn’t go down well in the Yuill household. Image: Chris Donnan/DC Thomson

He added: “Sadly, over the last month or so, AFC has decided to conduct negotiations through the local press – which is no way to do anything.”

Transport chiefs later told the meeting their plans for the beach masterplan were being drawn up with the potential stadium in mind.

Aberdeen FC declined to comment on the council showdown. You can read Dave Cormack’s recent statement here.

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