Arup plans for a £72m ($94m, €85m) revamp of the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, UK, ahead of its role as the focal point of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, have been approved.

The project will see the stadium transformed into a high-quality venue capable of hosting a diverse range of sporting, leisure, community and cultural events.

During the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the arena will act as the main venue, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics events during the 11-day event.

Works on the stadium include increasing the permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000. During the Games, temporary seating will bump up the capacity to 30,000.

Following the Games, the stadium will provide a new home for Birmingham City University's sports and exercise students, as well well as become a focal point for a range of leisure, health, wellbeing and community activities for local residents and the wider general public.

Construction of the new stand will commence in spring of this year, with completion in late 2021. This will be followed by test events.

The approved design will also facilitate the temporary ‘Games overlay’ elements and additional infrastructure needed specifically to deliver the 2022 Games. Further detail regarding the Games overlay will be published at a later date.

The project is at the centre of an ambitious regeneration programme of Perry Barr, which is receiving more than £500m ($653m, €590m) of investment in the coming years. As well as the stadium, the project includes new housing, improved transport and related upgrades to infrastructure and public space.

“We’ve always been clear that Birmingham 2022 is about much more than 11 days of fantastic world-class sporting action," said Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council.

"The Games are about regeneration, improved health and wellbeing, promoting the city on a global stage and building civic pride.

“This particular scheme is integral to all of those aims and benefits – the eyes of the Commonwealth and indeed the wider world will be on the venue during the Games, but the longer-term opportunities the improved stadium will offer a regenerated Perry Barr, and indeed the wider region and nation, mean the delivery of this scheme is crucial for the city’s future.”

Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022, the organising committee for the Games, added: “The Alexander Stadium is a pivotal venue for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as not only will it host the track and field events for athletics but it’s also where we will stage our official opening and closing ceremonies for the Games.

“Today’s news that planning approval has been granted is, therefore, a key moment for us as the organisers of the Games and one which we are pleased to be able to celebrate with our partners.

“Birmingham City Council will be delivering the new sections of the stadium and we look forward to watching progress over the next couple of years, ahead of us moving into the stadium when we deliver the Games in 2022."

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