Dundee FC’s new stadium plans have been analysed by fans and residents who appear supportive of the ambitious development.
Designs and information were showcased for visitors at a public exhibition held at the Landmark Hotel near Kingsway West on Monday.
The majority of people attending were supporters of the club, however some with little interest in the sport also turned up to have a peek.
Speaking at the event, club director John Nelms promised supporters “we’ll get it built” with a target of having it ready for the 2024/25 season.
Although many were supportive of the idea of moving away from Dens Park, there was concern around the finer details on how fans would access the site at Camperdown Park.
‘Best thing since sliced bread’
Bob Ralph, 55, says the stadium would be “absolutely brilliant”.
He said: “I think it would be the best thing since sliced bread.
“I would love it to happen but whether it does in my lifetime is another matter.
“Dens is such an old stadium. I have a season ticket and sit in the Derry (South Stand) but it’s brutal.
“It would be absolutely brilliant for the club and the city. I have supportive the club since I was a wee boy.”
The club want to create a huge development which would, as well as a stadium, include a crematorium, 210 homes, a hotel, commercial space, training pitches and restaurants.
One of the issues fans repeatedly quizzed planners on was both traffic and access, however.
Many said the Kingsway, particularly on the day of a big game with 15,000 fans, would struggle to cope.
‘My heart is still at Dens for now’
Carnoustie resident and fan Alan Peters says he is excited by the designs while being slightly concerned around a proposed slip road into the site.
He also said he would miss Dens Park.
He said: “I’m for it in the long-run but short-term it would be hard leaving our home for so long.
“My heart is still at Dens for now. We have done all of our winning there.
“It would be great for the club to move ultimately. It all sounds great but time will tell.
“The only thing I’m wondering about is accessing it, I thought there would be a bigger slip road from the Kingsway.”
Another visitor Veronica Deans says despite growing up on Sandeman Street (where both Dundee United and Dundee FC’s stadiums are), she is not a football fan.
Concerns around Camperdown Park
Describing herself as a “passionate Dundonian”, she says she wanted to give feedback to the planners, specifically the need to protect Camperdown Park.
She said: “They will have three training pitches actually in Camperdown Park so I’m guessing they will have to lease the land from Dundee City Council.
“That land was gifted to the people of Dundee so it needs to be protected.
“They will also need to put on buses from the Hilltown and the city centre to this new site.
She added: “I think the Kingsway will cope (with the traffic) – until there’s a big game that is. 15,000 people all coming to this area is a lot.”
Former Dundee community councillor, Margaret Soutar, 87, only came to ensure a public footpath from an underpass at the Kingsway to Dundee Ice Arena will not be affected.
She said: “We fought hard to get that opened in the 1970s and they better not touch it.
“The Kingsway was dangerous without the underpass and lots of kids were being struck and killed.
“The planners have reassured me the footpath won’t be altered but I’ll keep an eye on it.”
Meanwhile, Scottish sports author and former journalist, Steve Finan, believes the idea is exciting but says fans should press the case for a unique stadium design.
He also questioned the inclusion of a crematorium.
He said: “Most agree that modern, ‘cookie-cutter’ stadiums lack character. St Mirren and Livingston look like warehouses. Dens Park is unique and every effort should be made to retain that.”
He added: “The crematorium idea is puzzling. No (Dundee) United supporter will have a funeral there, it would be like scattering their ashes in enemy territory. Is it viable?”
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