Cost of 2022 Games now £218m, new figures show

THE costs to Birmingham of hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022 are now expected to be more than £218 million. Birmingham City Council revealed budget figures following a Freedom of Information Request from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The figures show the council’s direct contribution to the games remains unchanged at £184 million, representing around 25 per cent of the total costs.

But further costs under the headings programme team, legacy development and enhanced city operations add more than £34 million to the wider spending. Birmingham City Council states: “The council will incur further costs more widely associated with Birmingham’s role as host city.

“These are not direct games costs and include:

“The costs associated with co-ordinating the council’s games-related activities and funding contributions (the programme team costs) budgeted at £11.5m between 2020/21 and the games time. “A programme of investment in activities to encourage community engagement and participation in the games to help realise the long-term benefits of hosting the event such as improved civic pride and community cohesion (legacy development) – budgeted at £6m.”

This funding was set for approval by the council’s cabinet this week and includes 110 small grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 delivered to Birmingham-based groups to create artistic projects across the city.

The Games organising committee will also be delivering a six-month cultural festival across Birmingham and the West Midlands from March to September 2022.

The council added: “Additional activities to supplement ‘business as usual’ work in and around the city and games venues as a result of increased visitor numbers, including enhanced cleaning and wayfinding activities – budgeted at £15 million.”

Capital expenditure costs of the Games already announced are due to include spending on Alexander Stadium, Sandwell Aquatics Centre and other costs including the public realm and organising committee costs.

The Perry Barr regeneration works are a separate budget and are expected to cost £500 million in the run up to the games.

The development of the Athletes’ Village complex will now not be ready in time for the Games, it was announced over the summer.

A council spokesman said: “Looking to the future, the Commonwealth Games will provide a major opportunity for Birmingham to position itself within the world, and particularly with the Commonwealth. “The importance of the event and the opportunities it provides for the city and wider region, from an economic and social perspective, are now more significant than ever.”