Agenda item

The Committee had before it a deputation by Mr Terry Massie, Kincorth AFC Secretary in relation to item 9.6 (Kincorth Cruyff Court Outline Business Case). (Article 6 of this minute refers).

Mr Massie advised that all the Kincorth teams were in favour of a Cruyff Court being located within Kincorth, however they were very concerned about the Council’s preferred option for it being situated on the playing field at Kincorth Circle.

He made reference to the consultation process for the Cruyff Court, where the plans were first displayed at a public meeting held in the Kincorth Community Centre on 30 June 2025, noting (1) that people in attendance were given the opportunity to complete a paper form, outlining their preferred option, but only given approximately 15 minutes to do so; (2) that he declined the invitation to complete the form and requested that electronic plans be provided, but was told they were not available at that time; (3) that there were sessions of Streetsport (Denis Law Legacy Trust’s programme) in July 2025, where again paper forms were provided for completion; (4) that electronic copies of the plans were eventually made available on 25 July and the public were given two weeks to complete the survey; (5) that a very small number of people were made aware of the forms to complete, where to find them and how to access the electronic system; and (6) that the process was, in his opinion, undertaken inadequately, with some people not being able to find the survey online and were not given the same time or opportunity to complete it, resulting in a very poor number of responses (152 consulted and 49 online votes).

Mr Massie referred to the online petition resulting in 1171 votes being submitted, which supported a new Cruyff Court being relocated to one of the alternative sites which would not affect the present pitches in any manner.

He advised that the grass pitches were the main focal point area in the community for engagement, where Galas were held to support fund raising efforts by the football club and Kincorth Community Centre and would have a major effect on Champion Street football tournament in the summertime if the Cruyff Court was located there. He intimated that it would take away safe access to the pitches in close proximity to the road where many park their cars before taking their children to and from the playing field and affect training. The court and hedging would also block access for those attending the nearby shops and facilities on Provost Watt Drive.

He outlined various safety concerns if the facility was located there, with people having to cross/cycle over the pitches to access the skate/play park, potentially damaging the playing surface.

He emphasised that in his opinion, the Council’s preferred location was being forced on them as it appeared that the decision was to place it on the largest available option with minimal cost, although it did not necessarily benefit all parties involved including the community. He indicated that the location of the court would be in close proximity to housing, which may bring its own problems or concerns for the residents living there.

Mr Massie made reference to the football teams using the current large grass area for their training/matches and the many parents who come and watch their children play in an open space environment. He also referred to the closure of the nearby Academy resulting in the loss of changing rooms and other training facilities including the games hall and astro area/pitch.

He advised that Kincorth AFC had utilised an unused basement in the Community Centre and converted that into home and away changing/showering facilities, all at their own expense, with the pitches being maintained by the local teams and volunteers. Funding for the aforementioned works had been raised by the teams, committee members and the generosity of sponsors.

He explained that the teams in support of the local community recommended that the Kincorth bowling green area be an alternative location for the Cruyff Court, which had not been used for many years, ticked many boxes and would have minimal effect on the community. He expressed his disappointment that the preferred option (in the report) for the build of a new multi-sport facility was utilising precious space on a prime site on the field, when there was an existing grass/multi-sports set up next to the clay play area, which could be upgraded.

He concluded by stating that he had been involved with Kincorth AFC for 40 years, and nothing was more important to him than to secure the future of the open grass field for adults, boys and girls teams for future generations.

He responded to questions from members, reiterating that he had not been personally approached to discuss the plans or seek his opinions on the location of the Cruyff Court, with no onsite meetings held.

The Committee resolved:-

to thank Mr Massie for his deputation.