Nationwide tour seeks to secure legacy of Games

A NATIONWIDE tour will take place to ask Scots what they want the lasting effect of next year’s Commonwealth Games to be, writes Kieran Andrews, political editor.

The Your Legacy 2014 event will stop at Dundee’s Overgate Shopping Centre on August 4, the St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth on August 8 and Stirling’s The Thistles Shopping Centre the next day.

Commonwealth Games and Sport minister Shona Robison said: “The Games coming to Scotland provides an exceptional opportunity to make our nation healthier, help our businesses to prosper and celebrate our modern and vibrant culture both at home and on the world stage.

“It’s not just about the elite athletes, it’s about individuals too, and I hope people use this tour as an opportunity to be part of the excitement.”

People attending the tour will be able to find out how their community benefits, add their face to the legacy campaign and place their legacy wish on a specially created wishing tree.

Ms Robison said local communities are already benefiting from the legacy of the Games, with Scottish businesses winning more than 75% of Games contracts, while 150 community sports hubs are being established.

The £10 million Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund is also helping community groups build, upgrade and improve facilities in their local area, according to the Scottish Government.