Bill Kidd MSP for Glasgow has today welcomed the Scottish Government’s publication of the progress it has made so far in ensuring that the Glasgow Commonwealth Games will leave a lasting legacy for Glasgow and Scotland as a whole.

Responding to a question by Mr Kidd the Deputy First Minister Nicola sturgeon revealed that since the launch of ‘A games Legacy for Scotland’ in September 2009 a great deal of progress has been made in meeting the aims of the legacy plan.

This has included the recruitment of 71 youth legacy ambassadors to help ensure that young people are directly involved in the legacy for their communities and that the first community sports hub is now operation with all local authorities working towards the creation of their own community hubs.

Commenting on the report Mr Kidd said: "The fact that so much work has been done is hugely encouraging and demonstrates we are on track to make Glasgow 2014 one of the most successful games in history. I am particularly encouraged by the fact that Scottish Companies have been successful in winning 82% of the contracts so far, valued at around £158 million to the Scottish economy. This news will be a huge boost for companies across Scotland and I would encourage more to do the same’

"Work has already begun on the Athletes village, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will be one of the biggest indoor sports facilities of its type in Europe and the environmental and regeneration benefits we are already seeing are really exciting’

"This is an exciting time for Glasgow and Scotland as we go for gold in creating a lasting legacy for all."

Note:

Mr Kidd’s question is below through which the Progress report can be accessed.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT - WRITTEN ANSWER - 15 December 2010

Index Heading: Health and Wellbeing

Bill Kidd (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive  what progress has been made on the delivery of a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games (S3W-38363)

Ms Nicola Sturgeon: I am pleased to say that we have today published the first progress report against our Games Legacy Plan, A games legacy for Scotland, which was launched in September 2009. Since then, working with our partners, we have made good progress across all key areas in our ambitions for delivering a lasting legacy for the people and communities of Scotland.

This update outlines the progress made on our aspiration to get people more physically active. Significant progress has been made through the launch of the Active Nation campaign with Scots everywhere taking their own steps towards a healthier life. The 1st community sports hub is also now in use with each LA committed to creating and developing their own hubs to suit local needs and priorities.

The work done in regenerating the East end of Glasgow through the work on the athletes village and Velodrome is also detailed. The Games continue to provide an essential boost to the national and local economy with the report illustrating Scottish companies successes in winning 82% of games related contracts so far, worth around £158 million to the Scottish economy.

In developing programmes for our young people, 71 youth legacy ambassadors have been recruited from all over Scotland to promote and ensure that young people will be directly involved in creating the legacies they want to see in their own communities.

The Scottish Government has always been quite clear that the Games will touch upon all communities. The Games for Scotland programme around the Delhi handover was celebrated in all 32 LAs, and work will continue to ensure that the level of engagement and commitment by partners is maintained as we move forward to 2014.

With the Games now handed to Scotland the update reflects that legacy is beginning to deliver for people now, and shows that we are well on track not only to deliver an outstanding Games but leave a lasting impact on all of Scotland.

See the update - A games legacy for Scotland