It’s almost a year since Glasgow won the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, but, according to The Herald, the city is well advanced in its planning.
John Scott, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, is giving a progress report to the general assembly of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Banjul Gambia next week, and confirmed Monday it will be upbeat with no compromise on Glasgow’s winning presentation.
Scott said following the royal visit by Prince Edward to the organizing committee offices Tuesday, “we are still going to be able to live up to our promise. The dialogue with potential constructors has all been very healthy, and gives us confidence we will be able to deliver”.
He said, “despite the downturn, the hope is that the economy will be bouncing back by the time these properties come on the market.
“The housing will be needed for the Games, so only post-2014 will it come on to the commercial market place. It includes 300 units of social housing and a 120-bed care home. The way the package has been constructed there is a cash flow in there, giving some guarantees for the developer. So it’s very attractive and we are very hopeful we will get a good consortium”.
He said sponsorship was not yet an issue. Glasgow is reportedly constrained from most activities until Delhi 2010 is over, and sponsors will only be sewn up in the last two years. “We all have to hope the financial climate has improved by then. It’s critical to life, let alone the Games. We’re having conversations with prospective sponsors. It’s very important that they be aware what we are doing”.
He added “….we are looking to deliver the Games on budget and will be trying to generate revenues through sponsorship, tickets and marketing”.
The current staff of eight will increase to 35 by 2010 and by 2014 it will be more than 700 with 15,000 volunteers.
