The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Demolition of AECC set to get under way next month
Council: Community church has expressed interest in moving in to the site
Demolition of the old Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) will begin within weeks, with the council still looking for tenants for the Bridge of Don site.
The P&J has learned that work to start demolishing the former arena is scheduled for the first week of March, but is dependent on the weather.
A massive new £333 million centre, named P&J Live, including a 16,000
“We can’t keep something standing that is no longer in use”
capacity arena, was opened last August in Bucksburn to replace the ageing AECC.
Council bosses claim that the investment will bring top acts to the north-east.
But the local authority is still searching for potential tenants to find a new use for the site when the demolition is completed.
Last February, King’s Community Church expressed an interest in moving in to the area occupied by the AECC.
A spokesman for King’s
Community Church said their position “remained unchanged” from last year, but the issue was now a matter for the council, even though he added: “We are excited by the possibility.”
However, now Aberdeen City Council is in talks with a number of different organisations regarding the Bridge of Don site and its future.
Last night, Bridge of Don councillor John Reynolds said the demolition works were much needed.
H e s a i d : understanding
“M y of the situation is that it is the old arena that will be pulled down.
“This is clearly necessary as it is now ageing and we don’t want the roof to fall in or something.
“W e c a n ’ t k e e p something standing that is no longer in use and is just costing money,” added Mr Reynolds.
An Aberdeen City Council spokeswoman said: “A building warrant to demolish the arena at the old AECC and a covered walkway to the adjacent hotel has been approved by the planning authority.”