Glasgow seeks advice on boosting legacy from 2014 Games

Published on Monday 11 April 2011 16:32

GLASGOW has sought the advice of political figures from England to help ensure it gets lasting benefits from the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The city council's leader Gordon Matheson met yesterday at a games legacy summit with Sir Richard Leese, who was leader of Manchester City Council when it hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2002, and Sir Robin Wales, mayor of the London borough of Newham, who is currently involved in preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The three met to discuss the impact and legacy of hosting "mega events" such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

Glasgow has made it its long-term goal to ensure that the games benefit the city economically, environmentally, culturally and socially, having already established a Commonwealth Games job fund, which aims to create 1,000 jobs by July 2012.

Mr Matheson said: "The Games Legacy Summit was a fantastic opportunity for us to find out more about what Manchester did so well in 2002, the legacy that was left and the impact that the preparations for the 2012 Olympic Games are having in London.

"Glasgow has already gained a legacy from the Commonwealth Games in 2014, and the legacy plans we have in place will ensure that we make the best of this unique chance for the city. We all learned a great deal from each other."

During the summit, the three civic leaders toured a number of the sites being prepared for the Glasgow 2014 games and met key figures involved in preparing and delivering the event.

Sir Richard said: "Properly planned as part of a long-term strategy, major sporting events have a real and positive impact on economic growth, regeneration and community benefit.

"The Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002 was a real catalyst for the renewal of the old former industrial area of East Manchester and a key economic driver for the Manchester city region as a whole.

"Nine years later we are still reaping the benefits. I am pleased to see that Glasgow's legacy plans mean they are heading the same way."

Sir Robin said: "I have always said the real benefits of the Games come in making people's lives better."