The principal of Robert Gordon University has backed Aberdeen Football Club’s plans for a new stadium, saying its own investment in a purpose-built campus has already paid dividends.

AFC is proposing to build a new community sports campus and stadium with on-site training facilities at Kingsford, near Westhill.

RGU’s modern campus at Garthdee incorporates an £11million sports facility, with a swimming pool, climbing wall and gym.

Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, principal and vice-chancellor of RGU, is supporting AFC’s Aurora campaign to demonstrate widespread support for the plans for Kingsford. He said sporting excellence was one of the key drivers of regional success, as well as helping to attract students to Aberdeen from across the globe.

“Cities and regions benefit enormously from the availability of high quality sport and football is obviously key amongst that,” he said. “The development of AFC’s proposed facility will have a major impact on the region, not just in terms of the facility itself, but on the attractiveness of the region to investors.

“I think these plans are really significant, not just for the club but for the region, the city and the community. AFC is a major source of local pride as well as a provider of sport, entertainment and community cohesion, so these plans will allow the club to upgrade its activities considerably and I think that will be to the benefit of all of us in here in the north-east of Scotland.

“RGU’s investment in our new state-of-the-art campus has already paid dividends in terms of student experience and delivery of learning. We therefore fully appreciate the Club’s desire to bring their community and training facilities in one place, adjacent to a new stadium, to deliver for the players, the fans and the community, through the work of the AFC Community Trust.           

“Everybody who wants to produce high quality output needs facilities that reflect that, so the investment that we made here was a critical driver of our success and the investment planned for AFC will be a critical driver for its success, and for everyone else that benefits from the reputation and quality of the club.”

Prof von Prondzynski said the character and amenities of the local region were an important factor in the University’s success, helping to attract students from all over the world.

He added: “This particularly includes sport, and AFC plays a key role not only in our region’s profile but also in its vibrancy, feel-good factor and community outreach.

“The plans for Kingsford, which represent a £50million investment in best-in-class community, sports and training facilities as well as a purpose-built, modern stadium, will greatly enhance our reputation and our position as an internationally recognised centre of sporting excellence.

“When combined with the sports centre on our campus and other developments at Aberdeen Sports Village, Aberdeen City and Shire could, with the appropriate resources, make an even greater contribution to sporting achievements across Scotland.
 
“The downturn in the regional economy has affected almost every sector and has reinforced the imperative for this region to shift its reliance from oil and gas, embracing diversification and private sector investment in order to sustain and create jobs and opportunities in the long-term.

“The proposed development at Kingsford will not solve all our challenges but it can be part of a blend of private sector projects and investments which deliver economic benefit.”

RGU and AFC already work in partnership, which would only be strengthened by the development of new facilities at Kingsford, believes Prof von Prondzynski.

“The quality of what the club is planning will allow us to continue to develop our partnership and to consider new ways in which we could work together so that the sports science that we undertake here can link to what the club is doing and produce major positive benefits for the city and the region.”

The proposals are expected to be considered by Aberdeen City Council in October. For details of how to support the Aurora campaign, please click here and use #AllForAurora on social media.