NEW OPENING
If you don’t offer spectators a good environment and exciting atmosphere, they won’t come back
facilities to the benefit of other sports. Table tennis and badminton will be staged at the campus during the 2014 Games and Russell believes other sports could be accommodated. Even cricket has been mooted. “This potential interest is indicative of
the quality facilities at this site,” he says. “If NGBs think they can make their sport work here at Scotstoun, we’re certainly up for working with them to try and accommodate their needs. “There’s the possibility of a national
tabletennis squad based here, in addition to a badminton squad at the adjacent National Badminton Academy. All the facilities in this development have been planned on a multi-sport basis that’s not just a focus for rugby or athletics.” Although the London Olympic Games
is fast approaching, it’s the 2014 Com- monwealth Games that dominates the outlook for Scotstoun. The facility is set to be a pre-Games training camp for 2012, but Russell explains that 2014 could influence what the venue looks to do. “We’re looking to attract nation-
al teams to train here for the 2012 Olympics,” he says. “Our focus is on Commonwealth countries, particularly
The indoor sprint straight is supplied by Mondo and marked by White Line Services
the smaller ones. Part of Glasgow’s bid for 2014 and the city’s commitment to the Commonwealth, is that we want to work with the smaller countries to look at how we can offer help and support. “For example, we’re looking to work
with Zambia at the moment; not just to offer them a training base in Glasgow but how we can form a closer relation- ship with the country. We’re also looking at long-term developmental initiatives with Zambia so our relations reach fur- ther than a training camp host in 2012.”
Community care
Regarding the sporting legacy that surrounds major events such as 2012 and 2014, there’s a desire at Scotstoun Stadium to work as hard for the local community as it does for the elite athletes. Stuart says the wider levels of engagement with local groups and organisations is a key part of what the city is looking to achieve. “As a city, we’re working week in
week out with different sectors of the community as part of our key perfor- mance indicators in sport and activity provision and Scotstoun has opened new opportunities to get these sectors more involved,” he says. “Before the redevel- opment, facilities at the stadium were used, but on a smaller scale. Now, for example, we are actively working with a disability group of 100-150 people on a regular basis so we’re boosting the num- ber of users already.”
Room with a view
The effort taken to ensure both elite and grassroots athletes have the best possible facilities at the stadium is indica- tive of high hopes for future sporting success and increased participation. However, thought has also been given
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to people who enjoy watching the spectacle of sport within the stadium. The 3,500-seat main stand provides an
unrestricted view for all spectators due to the cantilever design, with disabled and media facilities located higher up to offer a finer perspective. According to Russell, spectator accommodation is an important part of the stadium’s success. “If you don’t offer spectators a good
environment in which to watch the sport and help to create an exciting at- mosphere, they’re not going to keep coming back,” Russell says. “We’ve got to give a great live sport experience so that spectators will keep coming and commercial supporters get the best showcase opportunity possible.”
Eyes on the prize
Innovative use of space and the multi- purpose approach to the stadium’s design means that Glasgow now boasts a high-quality sports complex. Ear- ly indications based on the stadium’s popularity is that it is already generat- ing a great deal of interest among local clubs and organisations, as well as sports NGBs. Acting as a standalone facility, as well as forming part of the wider Scotstoun campus, the venue’s redevel- opment is reaping its rewards. “The facility has generated more
income in its first eight weeks since opening its doors than it ever did in any financial year before,” reveals Stu- art. “The expectation is to produce over £250,000 in income a year. That’s the business strategy for the next three years and it’s achievable, as witnessed so far.” ●
Pete Hayman is a Leisure Media journalist
Issue 2 2010 © cybertrek 2010
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