Oliver Young from our building consultancy team, discusses the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham in the Summer and how the organiser’s goals are clear; to deliver the most sustainable Games since the event began nearly a century ago. But with over 250 events to host across 15 venues how will this be achieved?
The organising committee are implementing ISO 20121, an international standard created for the event industry to enable the delivery of events in a sustainable way. The creation of the ISO was inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to demonstrate that sustainability has been considered throughout the planning and delivery process.
Prior to the 2012 Games there had been a tendency to throw money at venues with little thought for long term strategy. This was certainly seen at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games in Athens and Beijing when purpose-built, world-class venues were moth-balled or under-utilised once the flame had gone out. One of the main drivers for the 2012 Games was the legacy of the venues, with the majority having a clear long-term plan. One such venue was the Lee Valley Velodrome which has hosted numerous national and international events as well as providing year-round facilities for amateur riders of all abilities. The legacy of the 2012 Games will now tie in with Birmingham 2022 with the Lee Valley Velodrome hosting track cycling events.
The Velodrome is the only facility outside the West Midlands and of the fourteen local venues only two will be subject to significant development. The new Sandwell Aquatics Centre is located around 5 miles to the east of the City centre in Smethwick and will include a 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool, a 25m diving pool and a 20m community pool. In order to meet the short-term requirements of the Games and achieve the long-term legacy for the wider community, the Centre will be subject to Games Mode and Legacy Mode. Games Mode will be completed in the spring of 2022 and will see the Centre fitted out to host the swimming and diving events with capacity for more than 6,000 spectators. Legacy Mode will see the seating capacity reduced with 5,000 seats removed and the associated area being transformed into a sports hall. The final scheme will be delivered in May 2023 and will also include a gym, indoor and outdoor sports courts, football pitch and an urban park. The provision of the Centre will support the local authority’s Built Review Strategy (2018) which was developed in partnership with Sport England. This is focussed on helping people and communities to create a sporting habit for life through enabling the right facilities to be provided in the right place.
The athletics events will be hosted at the Alexander Stadium, Perry Barr, to the north of the city centre. The stadium dates from the mid-1970s and has been home to the Birchfield Harriers ever since. The last significant redevelopment in 2011 saw the capacity increased to 12,700 and the arena has subsequently hosted national and international events.
The latest redevelopment for the Games is nearing completion, with the planning approval supported by a Sustainable Construction Statement. This includes strategies for the procurement of materials which promote sustainability and also how the works will be flexible and adaptable to future occupier needs. As such the stadium will be subject to two phases; Games Overlay and Legacy Stadium. The Legacy Stadium element will see the capacity increased to 18,000 through the retention of the east stand and the replacement of the west stand. The Games Overlay will see the northern and southern ends of the stadium provided with temporary uncovered seating, creating a capacity of around 40,000. Following the conclusion of the Games the temporary seating will be removed, however, there will be scope to re-introduce these for future events. Furthermore, the development of the west stand will see the creation of offices and ancillary areas and Birmingham City University Sports Science faculty will become the anchor tenant. With the University’s occupation and the return of Birchfield Harriers, the investment in the evolution of the stadium will be realised and it will become an important part of the sporting fabric of the city and region.
Ultimately, assessing the sustainability and legacy of the Commonwealth Games can only be done after the event and the first step to achieve ISO 20121 certification is due in April 2022. Further certification as to whether the aspiration to make the Games carbon neutral is due in September 2022 and a final report on the Games sustainability will be published in November 2022. Whatever the outcome, little has been left to chance in terms of achieving the goals and pledges of the organising committee and there will, no doubt, be a lasting legacy that will support generations to come.