Award-winning charity Sport Aberdeen’s Garthdee 3G pitch was officially opened on Wednesday 15 March by chairman Tony Dawson and Councillor Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council.

The key improvements included a complete resurface of the pitch, new ecologically efficient LED lighting to replace the existing floodlights, and new fencing and timber kickboards around the area of play to limit the migration of microplastics into the local environment.

The Scottish Football Partnership Trust awarded £20,000 of funding for the floodlighting and kickboards, following a successful application submitted by Sport Aberdeen and Aberdeen FC Ladies.

Additional funding was secured through the Scottish Football Association’s Grassroots Football Facilities Fund and landowner Aberdeen City Council also made a substantial contribution.

A popular facility in the area, the Garthdee 3G pitch is regularly used by Aberdeen FC Ladies Club, with teams ranging from U8s up to the U18s National Academy Programme. Teams from Robert Gordon University and pupils from Harlaw Academy also make frequent use of the pitch.

“We are delighted to officially open the Garthdee 3G pitch following the recent improvement works to reduce the energy use and carbon footprint of this popular facility.

“We hope the modern, refurbished pitch will offer many benefits to those using it for training and matches.

“We extend our thanks to our funding partners for making these improvements possible.

Tony Dawson, Sport Aberdeen chairman

Councillor Ian Yuill, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, said: “It is great to see this investment in a new 3G pitch at Garthdee.

“It will provide people in Garthdee and across Aberdeen with a first-class facility for enjoying sport and the benefits of exercise.

“In addition, it is a great example of what can be done to look after the environment when designing and delivering new infrastructure.”

Hazel Reid, Chairperson of Aberdeen FC Ladies, said: “Aberdeen FC Ladies is delighted to have been successful in a joint bid with Sport Aberdeen to The Scottish Football Partnership & Trust for new ecologically efficient LED lighting, fencing and timber kickboards around the area of play. This can only enhance the replacement pitch which will be a new, state of the art, 3G surface.

“Aberdeen FC Ladies is a well-established club within the city. It was identified by Sport Aberdeen as the Key Partner Club at the facility and has a pathway in place to offer players the opportunity to participate from U8s to U18s Regional teams and U16s and U18s National Academy Programme teams.

“Additionally, through a partnership with Aberdeen FC, our players have the opportunity to participate from youth with Aberdeen FC Ladies to the highest senior club level with Aberdeen FC Women. We are looking forward to the benefits of the refurbished pitch and enhanced lighting for both training and matches and we would like to thank Aberdeen City Council for their contribution to the project.” 

Sandy Hodge, Chief Executive of The Scottish Football Partnership Trust said: “The SFP Trust was delighted to support Aberdeen F.C. Ladies with funding for this project from our James Anderson Grassroots Football Facilities Fund. 

“The culmination of many months of hard work and collaboration has resulted in this superb facility and it will be great to see the benefits which the new surface and enhanced lighting will bring to the club and also to members of the local community. It is a fantastic achievement by all involved.”

Image credits: Norman Adams, Photographer at Aberdeen City Council