Construction is officially underway on a third community pitch at Cormack Park, marking the first phase of an ambitious programme of improvements which include plans for a new indoor football dome.
Representatives from Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) and the Cormack Family Foundation came together to mark the start of work on the project, which represents an investment of approximately £1.2 million.
AFCCT Chair Matt Nicol and Chief Executive Peter Davidson were joined by Aberdeen FC Chairman Dave Cormack and wife Fiona Cormack who were representing the Cormack Family Foundation, to mark the occasion.
The project is being made possible through The Pitching In Fund, supported by The UK Government, alongside funding from the Scottish FA through its Member Support programme, the Scottish Football Partnership Trust and significant additional investment from the Cormack Family Foundation.
The new pitch will allow AFCCT to expand its recreational and developmental football programmes, with a particular focus on increasing participation amongst underrepresented groups. It will also provide much-needed access to high-quality facilities for local grassroots clubs and additional capacity to support Aberdeen FC's growing girls' and women's football programmes.
The new community pitch is the first phase of a wider programme of improvements planned for Cormack Park, with Phase 2 focused on the development of a new indoor football dome.
As part of the current construction work, a concrete ring beam will be installed around the pitch in preparation for the proposed dome. Incorporating this infrastructure now will help prepare the site for the next stage of development.
Marking the start of construction at Cormack Park: Peter Davidson (AFCCT Chief Executive), Dave Cormack (Aberdeen FC Chairman), Fiona Cormack (Cormack Family Foundation), Matt Nicol (AFCCT Chair).
The proposed dome would provide a high-quality, all-weather environment, allowing football programmes and activities to take place throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. It would also significantly increase the opportunities available to community participants, grassroots clubs and Aberdeen FC.
Peter Davidson, Chief Executive of AFCCT, said: “We're delighted to see work getting underway and extremely grateful for the significant financial support we've received from The UK Government, the Scottish FA and the Cormack Family Foundation.
“We're incredibly fortunate to share such a fantastic facility with Aberdeen FC, and this additional pitch will allow us to grow our recreational and developmental football programmes while also providing local grassroots clubs with much-needed access to high-quality pitches.
“What's particularly exciting is that this is just the first phase of our plans for Cormack Park. We're committed to developing an indoor football dome as the next phase, and by incorporating the concrete ring beam into the current construction, we're already preparing the site for that development.
“The next step is to secure planning permission for the dome. This is a significant part of our longer-term plans for Cormack Park, and one that could make a huge difference to the opportunities available for football across the North-east, particularly during the winter months.”
Fiona Cormack, representing the Cormack Family Foundation, added: “We're delighted to be supporting Aberdeen FC Community Trust with this investment at Cormack Park. We've seen the difference the Trust makes to people and communities across the North-east, and we want to help them reach even more people through the power of football.
“This new pitch is an important first step and we are committed to working with the Trust and Aberdeen FC to progress the next phase. An indoor dome would be a fantastic addition, giving more people the opportunity to play, train and enjoy football throughout the year.
“We want Cormack Park to be a facility that benefits not just Aberdeen FC, but the wider football community.”