Glasgow 2014 on course to meet budget

The 2014 Commonwealth Games are on course to be delivered within budget, according to a panel inspecting the project.

The finding emerged as the Co-ordination Commission of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) concluded an inspection visit to Glasgow, host city in 28 months’ time.

Various aspects of preparations were assessed during the two-day visit, the second of six due before the games begin.

The chairman of the four-strong panel, CGF vice-president Bruce Robertson, yesterday praised “progress” made by the games organisers since the initial inspection visit six months ago.

He concluded that the organising committee has “created a culture of strong budget control” and is “on target to deliver the games within the approved £524 million budget”.

He also noted the opening of two refurbished venues, the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Lawn Bowls Centre, and highlighted the “good progress” on venue construction.

But the panel said the installation of the athletics track at Hampden requires “constant monitoring” and the security budget will need to be “managed carefully” by the Scottish Government and other public bodies.