THE new multi-million pound The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA) is to open in summer 2019, it has been confirmed.
The arena, conference centre and exhibition building is part of the new AECC project, which includes two on-site hotels, an energy centre, landscaping and parking. The entire site is being built by Aberdeen City Council along with development partner Henry Boot Developments (HBD), and main contractor Robertson Group.
The 12,500-capacity main arena has been tipped to provide a significant boost to the Scottish economy and host conferences, exhibitions and music concerts. The facility will also have three further conference/exhibition halls, four multi-purpose conference suites, and nine meeting rooms. Over 350 jobs are expected to have been created by year ten of operations.
Comedian Russell Howard is the first entertainment act to book a show at the venue.
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said, “We are delighted that summer 2019 is to be the opening date for TECA and we look forward to making many more exciting announcements about acts, exhibitions and conferences. We want to attract major artists and new events to the north east to ensure the area competes on a global scale and TECA plays a major part of that, as part of our Regional Economic Strategy which has internationalisation at its heart.”
Nigel Munro, regional project manager for HBD in Scotland added, “Work on the internal fit-out is progressing quickly, so what has for a long time felt like a huge engineering project is now really starting to come to life as TECA. The build programme remains on schedule and the finish line is now in sight for this flagship project for Aberdeen and the north east.”
Robertson chief executive officer Derek Shewan said, “TECA will provide a huge boost to the north east, and we at Robertson are immensely proud to be the primary contractor on this iconic build. TECA, and its two on site hotels, constitute our largest major project to date, and seeing it take shape is hugely satisfying for everyone involved.”
