Commonwealth legacy ‘front and centre’ of Birmingham Games – Nigel

Legacy remains ‘front and centre’ for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, according to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston.

There are just under 100 daystogountilthe2022Games openinthecityandotherWest Midlands venues on July 28, running until August 8.

After the decision to strip Durban as host city, Birmingham had only a four-and-ahalf-year cycle to prepare for the multi-sport showpiece event rather than the usual seven. A public investment of £778 million is going into stagingtheGames,whichwerelast held in the United Kingdom in Glasgow during 2014 while Manchester hosted in 2002.

As well as the renovated AlexanderStadium,nowwithan increased capacity of 17,500, the Sandwell Aquatics Centre will provide a leisure centre to serve the Smethwick community.Switchingtheathletes villagetoexistinguniversityaccommodation has allowed the regeneration of Perry Barr to focus on much-needed legacy housingwhichwillbecompletedin2022andopentothepublic next year.

Also as part of the Birmingham 2022 projects, there are a numberofotherupgrades–including Wyndley Leisure Centreasanofficialtrainingvenue forhockey,triathlon,andParatriathlon as well as at Birches ValleyinCannockChaseForest for mountain biking.

Aglobaltelevisionaudience of up to 1.5 billion is expected across the 19 sports, with the Games set to offer the biggest ever para-sport programme and more women’s medals than men’s for the first time.

With the eyes across the world set to be focused on the region over 11 days this summer, Huddleston is confident lasting benefits will be delivered for years to come.

“When I got appointed SportsMinisterandCommonwealth Games Minister, the legacy elements of the Games was one of the first conversations I had,” Huddleston said.

“It is absolutely been front and centre of everything, and not only about the physical infrastructure–itisreallymeaningful in an area of the country that really needs those facilities. “Veryearlyonwehavebeen talking about the business and tourismsideofthelegacyofthe Games,theskillsdevelopment, thejobandskillsacademyhere as well focusing on opportunities for young people.

“Wehavealsobeenworking withSportEnglandtoreallyfocus on making sure this can be part and parcel of our overall agenda to get activity levels of participation up.”