£72m Alexander Stadium revamp approved for 2022 Commonwealth Games
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."
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Alexander StadiumBirmingham 2022 Games to be accompanied by a nationwide, £120m festival of creativity
Commonwealth Games Federation reveals second phase of strategic plan
Plans revealed for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games stadium


bbspa_Group to realise urban destination spa inside Sardinian football stadium

Thinkwell to deliver the world's first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia

Jayasom partners with Amaala to unveil multigenerational health resort in Saudi Arabia

OMA's Ellen van Loon is the visionary behind new cultural centre for Manchester

James Corner Field Operations creates Highline for London

Esbjerg’s landmark maritime center, designed by WERK Arkitekter and Snøhetta, opens to the public

SEVEN to open world’s first indoor Discovery Adventures centres in Saudi Arabia

Fun and fear drive new Universal attraction concepts for Texas and Las Vegas

Voelker Gray Design creates 10-acre hot springs wellness haven for Atlanta

AIDarchitecten create healing spa for Antwerp's Botanic Sanctuary

Hollaway Studio's Seahive would bring blue health to South-East England

SEVEN to invest US$13bn in developing entertainment destinations across Saudi Arabia

World Spa’s expansive 50,000sq ft urban bathhouse and wellness club opens in Brooklyn

Floating Salmon Eye visitor attraction by Kvorning Design highlights sustainable aquaculture

White Arkitekter's Wood Hotel in Skellefteå Swedish Lapland is climate positive and made from local timber

Nohlab's 'Everything' installation among Noor Riyadh festival highlights

Bob Iger's return to Disney sparks major restructuring focused on creativity and storytelling

Therme Group plans US$200m urban wellbeing resort in South Korea

Digital art installation in Nanjing helps the public keep an eye on exoplanets

First glimpses revealed of flagship Blue Zones Centre in Miami

Warner Bros. and Infinite Reality launch metaverse experiences for live sports fans

Storyland Studios' Nigeria's film city project will break ground in Q1 2023

Canyon Ranch preps for major expansion with new destinations in Austin, Fort Worth and Houston

WilkinsonEyre-designed Battersea Power Station development opens as leisure district following £9bn redevelopment

Healthy cities conference to discuss diversity and inclusivity in urban planning and design

Foster and Partners reveal design for sustainable marine life centre on the Red Sea

Anaheim's US$4bn ocV!BE project approved by planners

Construction marches ahead for Saudi giga-projects Amaala and The Red Sea

HBG Design behind Michigan’s six-storey Aquadome inspired by the sun’s path across the sky
