Manchester’s run up to the Commonwealth Games is officially underway with a ground breaking ceremony due to take place shortly at the 60 hectare games site in Eastlands. Work on advanced site investigation by Norwest Holst Soil Engineering started at the site in September 1998, but with the approval of the application for enabling works, site works can now proceed.
Due to previous developments, the site at Eastlands presents difficult ground conditions. The enabling work involves remediation of the site, service diversions and bulk earthworks and will have to be carried out before construction of the stadium can start in the autumn. With a 1,000-day delivery plan, completion of the stadium should be achieved by December 2001. Eastlands, which already houses the National Cycling Centre, will also become home to the North West regional sports institute, retail, hotel and commercial facilities, served by an extension to the Metrolink.
Held over ten days, from July 25 to August 4 2002, the Games will be the largest sporting event ever held in Britain, attracting up to 5,250 competitors and officials. It is vitally important for the Commonwealth Games Movement and the future reputation of Manchester and the UK as a venue for major international events that the City hosts the best possible Games.
The Games are growing: the number of participating athletes increased in Kuala Lumpur and will increase again in 2002. Funding for the Games will come from a variety of sources, including sponsorship, broadcasting rights and ticket sales. A final decision over the sports to be included is to be resolved by the summer, ready for approval by the Commonwealth Games Federation in October. To further the wider regeneration of east Manchester the City Council has now been afforded Pathfinder Status in the New Deal for Communities Programme for a bid centred around the Beswick and Openshaw area and a bid to the Government’s Single Regeneration Budget Round 5 has also been encouraged in East Manchester.
These and other initiatives, such as the existing Eastside regeneration activity, a proposed Education Action Zone bid for East Manchester, and associated private sector investment, could see a total investment plan of well over £400 million for east Manchester over the next four years. These regeneration plans to transform the area will be overseen by the East Manchester Regeneration Agency – a task force comprising The Regional Development Agency, Manchester City Council and English Partnerships.