Work To Begin On Glasgow Arena

Construction work is due to begin on the National Indoor Arena in Glasgow in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The construction of the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, named after the Olympic cycling multi-gold medallist, is also nearing completion located on a 10.5 hectare site close to Celtic Park.

The £95m velodrome and sports arena are being built by construction firm Sir Robert McAlpine. The assembly of the venues is expected to require a workforce of 200.

The arena will be able to hold up to 5,000 spectators whilst the velodrome will have 2,000 seated and 500 standing.

 ‘This facility will be a fabulous addition to the sports infrastructure in Glasgow,’ said John Scott, chief executive of Glasgow 2014 Limited, the organising committee for the Games.

 ‘It will provide a venue for numerous international competitions in the years to come, with the potential to generate significant economic benefits,’ Scott added.

The indoor arena will host the Commonwealth Games’ badminton events while the velodrome will stage the cycling events and will be designed by Ralph Schuermann, who also created the 2008 Olympic Games velodrome track in Beijing.

Councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: ‘The arena and velodrome will be seen around the world when the badminton and indoor cycling events are held here. This will undoubtedly be a fantastic asset to Glasgow and Scotland.’

The national sports agency, Sportscotland, will also have their new headquarters on the site.