THE delivery of Aberdeen’s third Cruyff Court, to be named in honour of Aberdeen FC’s legendary skipper Willie Miller, was given a boost when councillors approved additional funds for the project yesterday.
The additional funding comes from the transfer of a proportion of the £6m budget savings on the Riverbank School project retendering process and will allow, in turn, a retendering process for the new Cruyff Court in Tillydrone.
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The boost for the project came at today’s Finance and Resources Committee where councillors also instructed the Chief Officer, Capital, to submit a further procurement exercise with a view to completing the facility in the current financial year.
The Dons’ most successful-ever captain, who led his team to a never-to-be-forgotten Cup Winner’s Cup triumph over Real Madrid in 1983, paid a visit to the site in August last year when the naming announcement was made.
Once completed, the Tillydrone facility will make Aberdeen one of only two cities in the UK to have three Cruyff Courts, with the others being named after Aberdeen football heroes Denis Law and the late Neale Cooper.
Convener of Finance and Resources Committee Councillor Alex McLellan said: “We are committed to delivering the Cruyff Court in Tillydrone and I am pleased that committee agreed to increase the budget to deal with the rising costs within the construction section including tennis court resurfacing near me.
“This Cruyff Court will be a massive asset to the community, and provide a great facility for the young people in Tillydrone, which is exactly why we are pushing ahead with the project despite the rising costs.”
Vice Convener and Council Co Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “This decision confirms the Council’s commitment to create a great community sporting facility in Tillydrone. Once this is built, Aberdeen will be the only UK city other than London to boast three Cruyff Courts.”
The court will be a result of the ongoing successful partnership comprising Aberdeen City Council, Denis Law Legacy Trust, and The Cruyff Foundation and will provide an artificial sports and activity area, basketball and dodgeball courts, mini-tennis courts, as well as a running track.
