This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Dalmarnock confirmed as site of 2014 athletes village
11/08/2006
Dalmarnock in the east end of Glasgow was confirmed today as the site of the athletes' village for the 2014 Commonwealth Games should Scotland's Bid be successful.
In one of the biggest urban renewal projects in a generation, over 1,000 new homes will be built on the village site. Once the Games are over, they will be made available for private sale and social housing.
The village will be directly adjacent to the National Indoor Sports Arena and National Velodrome, allowing althletes to walk to two of the biggest competition venues.
Speaking from Dalmarnock, First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"Dalmarnock is an ideal home for the Athletes' Village. Having the site so close to two of the biggest competition venues underlines what we have been saying all along. A Glasgow Games would be a Games for the athletes.
Today we are not just visiting a building site or announcing a house building programme. We are stating our intention to transform an area that has lived through many challenges.
"Bringing the Village to Dalmarnock is not just about building new homes. It is about building a better life for the residents of our biggest city. It is about building confidence in the communities of the east end and a better future for generations of ordinary Glaswegians.
"Winning the Games for Scotland will transform lives. It will bring about enormous change and renewal but it will do so much more. It will show the world what we can do. It will give our young people the confidence to succeed and will make sure that we continue to transform our national health. I know that we are in a tough race, but it is a race I am determined we will win."
Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council said:
"I am absolutely delighted that Dalmarnock will be the site for the 2014 Athletes' Village. The thousands of athletes who will come here for the Games and the families who will live in the area after them will further strengthen one of our greatest communities.
"Glasgow is a city that has undergone enormous change in recent years. Homes are being improved, schools are being built and sports facilities are better than ever. Our city and our people are the stronger for it, but we can do so much more.
"We must continue to renew, regenerate and reinvigorate our city. The Commonwealth Games gives us the opportunity to show billions of people that Glasgow is a great world city - that we have what it takes to deliver a fantastic games and an extraordinary future for our people. It is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss."
Background
The east end of Glasgow is part of the ambitious Clyde Gateway development. A 20 year, multi-billion pound project, it will see a huge part of the Clyde corridor opened up for housing and economic activity.
More than 10,000 new homes will be built, more than 400,000 sq metres of employment space will be provided and 350 hectares of derelict and contaminated land will be restored. It will also help set up extra training courses to ensure the area's workforce have the skills to exploit the new jobs opportunities. By 2026, the massive regeneration scheme will see more than 800 hectares of land transformed. The Clyde Gateway area stretches from Glasgow Green in the west to Cambuslang in the east and from London Road in the north to Toryglen/Shawfield in the south. This area falls within the boundaries of both Glasgow City and South Lanarkshire councils.
Two sites were considered for the Athletes' Village - Dalmarnock in the east and Sighthill in the north of the city. A variety of factors were taken into account when making the final decision. These included availability of land and proximity to all Games venues.