Aberdeen Football Club has initiated construction on a new £1.2 million community pitch at its Cormack Park training complex. This development marks the first phase of a broader improvement programme that is set to culminate in an indoor football dome.

The new playing surface represents the third community pitch at Cormack Park, Aberdeen FC’s state-of-the-art training ground and academy which opened in 2019.

Crucially, the current construction work includes the installation of a concrete ring beam around the pitch. This strategic infrastructure is being incorporated in preparation for the proposed indoor dome, which forms part of Phase Two of the development. The aim is to streamline the transition to the next stage, facilitating the delivery of the high-quality, all-weather indoor facility. Aberdeen FC’s next step involves securing the necessary planning permission for the dome.

The proposed indoor dome is expected to significantly enhance opportunities for the club’s teams, community participants, and local grassroots clubs, particularly by providing a year-round playing environment.

The project is a collaborative effort, underpinned by significant financial contributions. Funding has been secured from The Pitching In Fund, which is supported by the UK Government, alongside investment from the Scottish FA through its Member Support programme and the Scottish Football Partnership Trust. Further substantial backing has come from the Cormack Family Foundation.

Representatives from the Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT), the independent partner charity of Aberdeen FC, and the Cormack Family Foundation convened to mark the commencement of the work. Among those present were AFCCT chair Matt Nicol and chief executive Peter Davidson, joined by Aberdeen FC chairman Dave Cormack and his wife Fiona Cormack, representing the Cormack Family Foundation.

The new pitch will enable AFCCT to expand its recreational and developmental football programmes, with a specific focus on increasing participation among underrepresented groups. It will also provide essential access to high-quality facilities for local grassroots clubs and bolster capacity for Aberdeen FC’s expanding girls’ and women’s football initiatives.

Fiona Cormack, representing the Cormack Family Foundation, a charitable foundation established by Dave and Fiona Cormack, affirmed their commitment:

“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.”