Glasgow Chamber Of Commerce

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce welcomes The Commonwealth Games Federation's Coordination Commission (CoCom) feedback following its four-day visit to Glasgow, the first of six which will take place in the lead-up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Summarising the CoCom's findings, Bruce Robertson, Vice President of the CGF and Chair of the Commission said:  "The project is on course. There are no 'red flags'.  We are satisfied with progress including the great strength of partnership, progress on planning and delivery of the major infrastructure elements such as the Athletes' Village and the sports venues, and the clear focus on generating value and legacy for the people of Glasgow and Scotland.

"The Commonwealth Games are a catalyst for positive change and real economic impact.  As an example, 78% of contracts awarded have gone to Scottish companies.  The Games will create hundreds of jobs and will achieve sustainable benefits for Glasgow enhancing skills, regeneration of strategically important parts of the city, and developing improved amenity and opportunities for sport and healthy lifestyles.

"The Games governance structures are in good order.  The partnership across the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and the Organising Committee is impressive; as good as we have seen of any recent Games.  Evidence of this partnership can be found in the great job Glasgow City Council have done in delivering the primary venue development with all projects on time and within budget.  All of this has been in close collaboration with the Organising Committee.

"We reviewed a number of areas, such as infrastructure, security, transport, workforce ramp up, finance, management and planning; none of the outcomes of the reviews were a surprise to us or the Organising Committee at this stage of the planning process. With just under three years to go the focus now moves on to detailed operational planning.  2014 may seem a long way off, but the level of activity typically accelerates at this stage of a Games project and we all need to shift into the next gear to keep pace."

"The next Coordination Commission visit is set for April 2012 and at that time we will be looking for the Organising Committee to have recruited more staff. We'll also be undertaking a further review of Glasgow's plans for transforming venues into Games-ready facilities, reviewing the sports programme, finalising the routes for the road courses and reviewing the Organising Committee's ticketing programme."

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce welcomed the news, Chief Executive, Stuart Patrick Said: 'The Commonwealth Games Federation's findings represent a milestone in Glasgow's progress towards the main event in 2014. Glasgow has already achieved a great deal in preparation for the Games and having the city's achievements to date recognised with such a glowing assessment is excellent news. There is still much to be done, but we are already seeing investment and improvements across the city, such as the Clyde Gateway regeneration, which are set to benefit the people of Glasgow and Scotland for years to come.'

Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg said:  "We are on track and on budget and were absolutely delighted to show the Coordination Commission members our progress, as well as discuss the pathway ahead of us. We have achieved a great deal to date, we have a great team and we are confident we will deliver an outstanding Games."