£100 For Every Scot

Jan 13 2008 By Charles Lavery And Lesley Roberts

Exclusive Commonwealth Games Set To Spark Nationwide Cash Bonanza Melbourne 2006 Glasgow2014

THE 2014 Commonwealth Games will spark a massive £500million cash bonanza across Scotland, according to a secret report.

The study into the last Games - in Melbourne in 2006 - found the host city of Glasgowwill enjoy a long-term economic boost.

But experts believe the Games will generate a huge windfall for almost every area of Scotland as visitors explore the country.

It will bring in the equivalent of £100 for every man, woman and child in the country.

The Economic Impact Study into the Melbourne Games by accountants KPMG states: "The total expenditure associated with the 2006 Games in Victoria was around Û2.9billion (£900million).

"In terms of the impact on the Victorian economy, the 2006 Games was estimated to result in an increase in Gross State Product of around Û1.6billion (£500million) over a 20-year period with around half of the impact occurring in the year of the Games."

Blair Nimmo, managing partner of KPMG in Edinburgh, believes Scotland could make even more from the Games than Melbourne.

He said: "We have an advantage over Australia in our proximity to other Commonwealth countries.

"Australia isn't particularly near anything. We're an easy destination for visitors from other parts of the UK and beyond. If these Games are properly marketed and promoted, there's no reason why they shouldn't be a fantastic benefit to the whole of Scotland.

"The Games will increase awareness of Scotland. The feel-good factor can't be underestimated.

"People will come to Glasgow then go beyond the city."

He added that clever project management in securing worldwide sponsorship deals and TV coverage could boost Scotland's performance even more.

Nimmo said: "If Melbourne made £500million, I see no reason why we should be disadvantaged in comparison. We have five million Scots, a million in Glasgow.

"To make £100 a head strikes me as a pretty good investment because you also get the benefit of creating a very positive image of our country.

"I spent a lot of time in Sydney after the Olympics there and I didn't meet one person who was hacked off about how much had been spent on them.

"They enjoyed it for themselves, for what it was bringing to their country - and they were enjoying the financial benefits as well."

The successful Glasgow bid team have told Parliament they can bring the Games to Scotland for £288million.

Glasgow City Council will have to find 20 per cent of the money - around £60million - and council leader Steve Purcell has pledged not one penny will come from council tax.

But the city of Melbourne and the Australian government spent £492million. It included £96million on new infrastructure, which Glasgow claims it already has in place.

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for Commonwealth Games Delivery, said: "This is the single biggest event Glasgow could hope to host.

"It's a very exciting time for us.

This is a city which has transformed itself and as a proud Glaswegian that's great to see.

"But the 2014 Games gives us the opportunity to take that to a higher level and allow us to move into a completely new era.

"As well as the obvious economic benefits, the Games will lift the confidence and aspirations of everyone who lives and works here."

During the Melbourne Games, the athletes' village was home to 5700 guests, athletes and officials, supported by a workforce of 3000.

After the Games, the site became a private housing estate for hundreds of families, something Glasgow is keen to copy.

Melbourne's famous cricket ground, the MCG, was the focal point and staged the opening and closing ceremonies.

But events were spread across 33 venues in 22 locations, sharing the financial windfall.

Transport Museum

Glasgow's riverside skyline will be transformed by the newmuseum's jagged roof. The £60million building will replace the one at Kelvin Hall and promises the dramatic impact of the Sydney Opera House. The Glenlee tall ship will be moored alongside.

National Entertainments Arena

The 12,000-seater arena is being built beside the SECC with a hotel and multi-storey car park. Designed by Sir Norman Foster, the iconic arena is known as 'The Pie'. It will host gymnastics and netball events during the Games.

New Ibrox

Rangers' home could be bulldozed and rebuilt in a £700million scheme inspired by Chelsea Village, above. The famous red brick facade will survive but the rest will be brand new - including a moveable pitch, 70,000 seats, hotels and stores.

Argyle International Hotel

One of Scotland's first six-star hotels, it will have 158 luxury bedrooms, two presidential suites and a rooftop infinity pool. The eye-catching tower in Argyle Street will glow like a lantern at night.

Elphinstone Place

A striking, 39-storey glass tower at Charing Cross, it will be Scotland's tallest building. The £100million skyscraper will tower 134 metres above the motorways. Designer Terence Conran is working on the interior, whichwill contain plush apartments and offices.

St Enoch Square

The mall will have a £100million extension, creating the UK's largest indoor shopping complex. It will bring in 40 new shops, behind a massive glass frontage. The square outside will be given a multiscreen cinema and a casino, restaurants, flats and fountains will link it to the riverside.

Imuya Biodome

This futuristic east end structure - the height of eight double-decker buses - will be a Scots answer to Cornwall's Eden Project. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland want to house rare animals such as jaguars and exotic birds in the £35million dome.

Indoor Velodrome

To be built on wasteground in the shadow of Celtic Park, this impressive 4000-seat arena will be a focal point of the Games. It will become the home of Scottish cycling, hosting international events but also open to the community in Dalmarnock.

Athletes' Village

Competitors will stay in 1100 new homes in Dalmarnock on the banks of the Clyde. It will be twice the size of the space used at the 2006 Melbourne Games.Derelict houses and wasteground have been cleared to make way and after the Games the houses will be sold or rented.

GLASGOW IN 2014

THE city's skyline is set to be transformed and run-down areas of the city rejuvenated in time for the Games. Here are some of the stunning projects.

SUNDAY EMAIL

c.lavery@sundaymail.co.uk