Race to secure a lasting legacy
THIS summer, the eyes of the world turned to Birmingham. After four years in the making, Birmingham stepped onto the world stage with the ambition to deliver the most inclusive and the first carbon neutral Commonwealth Games to date.
Over a two-week period, over 1.5 million people came from around the globe to experience the sport, celebrations and the culture of our region.
I’ve spoken to a lot of people during and after the Games and one thing was clear – the buzz around the city was undeniable and many were incredibly proud to be Brummie.
The journey to get to the Games was far from smooth and as the official supplier of professional advisory services, we weathered many storms in the lead up to July 2022.
Firstly, this was almost the Games that never was when the original hosts Durban had to pass over the opportunity.
In December 2017, Birmingham was awarded the ballot and took on the challenge of organising the Games in just four years, instead of the usual seven – a record time for a sporting event on this scale.
With the work in full swing and investments being made across the region, they were met with another challenge in March 2020 – the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was considered this would potentially be another Games behind closed doors like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Contingencies were made and work timelines assessed to plan for the multiple outcomes.
Fortunately, as we know now, they were able to go ahead as originally planned with the lifting of restrictions, enabling the event to be enjoyed as it should be.
The investment made during this time is clear to see and will leave a lasting legacy on the region.
The £72.4 million redevelopment of Alexander Stadium left spectators and athletes in awe, many of whom had visited, practised or competed at the stadium in years gone by.
Similarly, the development of the Sandwell Aquatic Centre is a feat to be proud of.
Launched in the weeks before the Games, the centre has been passed over to the local authority and will inspire the next generation of swimmers, providing access to some of the best facilities in the country.
Meanwhile, the Games’ Business and Tourism Programme has seen the region’s inward investment pipeline soar by 20 per cent to nearly 1,200 opportunities and has already seen 23 new investments.
Many are now asking what this means for the region.
As the athletes and spectators went home, the Smithfield site came down and Perry the Bull has started to disappear from our streets, admittedly it felt like the first weeks of January when the Christmas decorations get packed away for another year.
However, what we have now is a huge opportunity to create a legacy for the region.
The investments made in the region will provide economic benefits for years to come as well as the boost provided during the Games which we’re expecting to see.
It is estimated that Birmingham 2022 will have added to the West Midlands economy and created 40,000 jobs and skills opportunities - and that impact will only be extended further as the Business and Tourism Programme continues to promote the region as a leading destination for visitors and investment well into 2023.
In a recent PwC report, the Midlands region was identified as one with the most potential for growth and we will no doubt have benefited from the Games.
We consistently ranks as one of the UK’s regional destinations for attracting foreign direct investment thanks to numerous features of the Midlands economy, including infrastructure investment such as HS2 and access to talent and skills.
The spotlight has no doubt bolstered our reputation and challenged any perceptions of the region on a national and global scale. So, what happens next?
While the events have come to end, the work behind the scenes continues at pace to secure the legacy for the region.
United By 2022 is the official legacy charity with a bold ambition to inspire future generations, empower communities and champion fairness and inclusivity.
The charity is building a community fund that will continue some of the projects started by Birmingham 2022, including Gen22 which is a free-to-access programme for people aged 16 to 24 to gain employability boosting opportunities.
The charity has also identified two further causes that it is fundraising for, including creating accessible play spaces for young people with additional needs and providing catch-up swimming lessons to support children who missed out on school swimming as a result of the pandemic.
As well as the official work being done by United By 2022 and the investment in the region, I believe everyone in the Midlands can carry the legacy baton and keep the momentum going.
During the Games, over 14,000 people from across the UK volunteered their time and the results were clear to see.
Following their example, we know what we can achieve if we come together under a shared purpose.
We can continue to work together to create a region we’re proud of and remember that sport is just the beginning.
The Midlands region was identified as one with the most potential for growth and we will no doubt have benefited from the Games.