A £52 million boost to Scotland’s economy, and 1000 jobs, in each of the past six years have resulted from building and revamping Glasgow 2014 venues and the Athletes’ Village.

The substantial Games legacy, revealed in a new Scottish Government report published yesterday, includes information on new training opportunities, Scottish firms benefitting from contracts and other major events being secured.

This is the most comprehensive legacy evaluation ever undertaken for any Commonwealth Games and the report is the second in a series focussing on national legacy programmes and evaluating the Games’ long-term effects.

The news comes as Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison visits Canada this week to promote the Games and Scottish culture, tourism and heritage as the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) travels through Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton.

Key findings show:

• Building and refurbishment of Games’ venues and the Athletes’ Village has resulted in an estimated 1000-supported jobs, and £52 million for Scotland’s economy, on average in each of the six years to 2014.
• 5000 Games-related training and job opportunities across Scotland on national legacy programmes for those who can benefit most, including the long-term unemployed and young people.
• Around 200 jobs and a £10 million economic boost on average in each of the six years leading to the Games, via multi-partnership urban regeneration firm Clyde Gateway URC. They initially invested £100 million to help create a regenerated, well-designed and sustainable community in Glasgow’s East End.
• £313 million worth of tier one contracts procured to date, of which £257 million (82 per cent) have been secured by Scottish companies.
• All new and refurbished Games sporting facilities are already open to the public, schools, clubs and sports bodies for use in advance of the Games. This bodes well for a long term sustained use of Games infrastructure.
• Expansion of the major events industry in Scotland and Glasgow, with 37 national and international events (both pre and post Games) secured to date using Games’ infrastructure/involving Games’ sports. Their estimated economic impact is over £14 million.
• In Glasgow’s East End where much of the Games’ investment and longer-term regeneration is happening, 41 per cent of residents responding to a recent study said they intended to use new or improved sports facilities in their area.

Cabinet Secretary Shona Robison, said: “We want to host the greatest ever Games and it is vital to everyone involved in Glasgow 2014 that the benefits are felt long after the world class sport has finished.

“Legacy is central to all we do around the Games. That is why I am delighted that yesterday’s report charts the excellent on-going progress of the significant Games legacy which is already embedded in Scotland.

“Such evaluations are not only vital for the Scottish Government and its partners, but will be a useful resource for future host cities, and those like Edmonton which are in the running.

“The Scottish Government recognises that Canada has led the way internationally in championing physical activity. This will be an invaluable opportunity to learn more from the Canadian experience and feed this into our Commonwealth Games’ legacy work.”

The Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow 2014 are committed to a transparent and on-going assessment of legacy, and learning from this evidence to maximise possible social and economic benefits nationwide from hosting the Games..

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: “I am delighted to say that Glasgow is already enjoying a fantastic economic, social, environmental and sporting legacy from the Games, with more to follow.

“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games provide a unique opportunity for the city, one that we were determined to make the most of. To ensure this, in addition to national-led legacy activity, we developed the Glasgow Games Legacy Framework in recognition that legacy does not occur by itself.

“It is very pleasing to see that programmes such as the £50 million Glasgow Guarantee, which has brought jobs, apprenticeships and training places to thousands of young Glaswegians, have made such a positive impact in the city.”

Chief Executive of Glasgow 2014 David Grevemberg said: “The legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is already in action and people are benefitting from developing and participating in projects driven and inspired by the Games.

“We continue to support our Games Partners, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, with their legacy ambitions and welcome the publication of this report.”

Legacy programmes by the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow 2014 received external praise last month. During a pre-Games visit to Scotland by the Commonwealth Games Federation Co-ordination Commission, they noted that the programmes “have been highly successful and will serve as a benchmark for all future Commonwealth Games”.