Westdyke Community Club – the largest sports group in Westhill – has voiced its support for Aberdeen Football Club’s plans to create a £50million football and community sports hub at Kingsford.
 
Amid ongoing consultation with Aberdeen Football Club, the group is backing the plans as they will provide desperately needed facilities for not only those in Westhill but across the whole region.
 
If the plans are given the go-ahead, the first phase of development would see the construction of a dedicated community sports hub and professional training pitches with associated facilities.
 
As well as providing a home for the award-winning AFC Community Trust (AFCCT), local community groups would also be able to access and benefit from the facilities.
 
In addition to consulting with Westdyke Community Club, AFC has liaised with more than 20 established local groups in the Westhill and Kingswells areas – ranging from indoor bowling, table tennis, netball and badminton to outdoor rugby training, walking, running and keep fit classes – to seek their opinion on the current provision of local sporting facilities.
 
It has been found that there is a serious shortage of suitable outdoor and indoor sports and social facilities in the area that is leading to many of these groups having to travel into Aberdeen to find suitable venues because the size, availability and condition of existing facilities are constraining local participation.
 
Westdyke Community Club is also a member of the Westhill & District Community Sport and Leisure Hub. Established in 2014, the group aims to bring the community together to develop quality sporting facilities for the benefit of all. The long term aim of the group is to achieve recognition from SportScotland as hub of sporting excellence.
 
Graeme Burnett, a spokesperson for Westdyke Community Club, said: “It’s encouraging that the facilities at Kingsford will be available to local clubs from across the area and as Westdyke Community Club is the largest it will make a significant difference to the standard of training and opportunities currently available to the more than 500 youngsters and 100 volunteers associated with us.
 
“The provision of community sporting facilities is great news, due to the fact that facilities in Westhill are very limited.  We are also a member of the ever growing Westhill & District Community Sport and Leisure Hub, where many of the clubs are actively seeking a safe environment to train. 
 
“AFC are aware of the poor facilities in Westhill and they have been very supportive to the Hub.”
 
George Yule, executive vice-chairman of Aberdeen Football Club, said: “With access to purpose-built modern facilities at Kingsford, not only will the AFC Community Trust be able to significantly increase its reach across many communities, but local groups will also have the opportunity to access what’s on offer.
 
“Local residents and various activity groups have approached us as they realise that Kingsford will benefit a wide range of sporting and social needs and are not just for football-related activities. Our proposal aims to deliver a modern, convenient and accessible development for the greater good and benefit of all across the region.”
 
Aberdeen Football Club’s plans for the 25-hectare site at Kingsford, near Westhill, would see the construction of the largest new-build stadium in Scotland in 100 years and are seen as a critical step in AFC’s bid to achieve UEFA top 100 status.
 
The proposals are expected to be considered by Aberdeen City Council in October. Show your support for the campaign using #AllForAurora on social media.