The Co-ordination Commission (CoCom) of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today completed its third review of preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games under CGF Vice-President Bruce Robertson (Canada),
Speaking at a media conference at Commonwealth House, the headquarters of the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee (Glasgow 2014), Mr Robertson said:
We have undertaken an intensive four day review finishing today with our five-member CoCom and technical advisors. Over many meetings with the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee and a wide range of Games partners including Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Police and Commonwealth Games Scotland, we have been able to gain an excellent understanding of the status of the overall Games project.
We also undertook three detailed Technical Reviews in September focused on Villages, Transport and Security with subject matter experts to help us prepare for the CoCom.
The CoCom programme included tours to the venues, including the newly completed Emirates Arena; and the Games Village that is on time for delivery in January 2014.
Mr Robertson said The fact that a number of venues are either completed or are nearing completion, provides the CGF with significant confidence in the ability of Glasgow to deliver a successful Games. The infrastructure projects are being well managed by Glasgow City Council and the planning now being done by the Organising Committee to adapt venues for Games time use is well on track.
These new venues are of a high standard and along with the existing venues, provide an excellent platform to stage the Games.
More significantly, the venues provide wonderful community legacy and it is already evident how transformational some of the facilities will be for the Glasgow community.
The CGF CoCom was also very impressed with the Village development.
The housing development and regeneration programme in the east end of Glasgow is a wonderful example of the Commonwealth Games helping build communities. The development is well advanced, with many houses already in place 21 months out from the Games. The Village has the potential to be the best ever and a tremendous credit to Glasgow. This development really will provide a home away from home for the Athletes said Mr Robertson.
The CGF CoCom congratulated the planning progress of Glasgow 2014 since the previous CoCom review in April 2012.
Mr Robertson said The overall Games planning progress made in the past 6 months is appropriate for this stage of the project cycle. Of course much more detailed work is still to be done but the Organising Committee and the Games delivery partners are on track. In these projects, time is always a challenge and Glasgow 2014 know this and are continuing to increase their momentum as they enter the next phase of planning bringing the venue teams together and going to market for all of the commodities needed to conduct the Games.
This also provides wonderful opportunities for local businesses and local people to gain jobs and volunteer opportunities through the Games.
The CGF CoCom highlighted recent Games milestones achieved, including:
The Launch of: Clyde the Thistle the well-received Games mascot and also the Games Tartan.
The signing of new commercial partners Atos, Dell, Longines and SSE
Announcements of key supplier Agreements including Sunset + Vine, Global Television (SVGTV) as the host broadcaster; Jack Morton Worldwide as the Ceremonies Producer; and official furniture supplier RGS.
While Mr Robertson confirmed that the CGF CoCom report card would be positive, he highlighted the need to resolve security arrangements and budgets now. Certainty on budget responsibilities is required, consistent with the commitments made by the Government to the CGF during the bid, said Mr Robertson.
Mr Robertson continued: The interest in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games received a positive boost during and after the London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Already 250,000 people are engaged with the Games through Glasgow 2014's social media platforms even before real promotion has started.
These are positive indicators as Glasgow 2014 focuses on final delivery of a great Games customer experience and it is also important for ticket sales which commence later in 2013.
The CGF CoCom reinforced the need to maintain the strong bipartisan support for the Games and to maintain the partnership across the Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games Scotland, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government.
With so much good work done, and good will across the political landscape, it is important for all to resist any distraction over the next 20 months. Now is the time for absolute focus and commitment to the end result to benefit all of Scotland. Said Mr Robertson