West Midlands Mayor Andy Street says residents and businesses can look forward to reaping the benefits of having the revitalised Alexander Stadium on their doorstep.
The stadium undertook a £72 million transformation to serve as the principal venue of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Mr Street, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), said: “We decided to invest in redeveloping the stadium because we knew that it would provide a world class sporting venue for the region and enhance our global reputation. Anyone can see the contractors, McLaughlin & Harvey, have certainly delivered that ambition – it’s a brilliant facility.
“The project also created a real social legacy as we saw hundreds of jobs and training opportunities created and supported through the pandemic as well as engagement with the community including local school children who will be inspired by their experiences for years to come.
“Now we can look forward to an ongoing legacy that will benefit people in Great Barr going forward.”
Plans for further improvements at the site include extended and enhanced gym and leisure facilities, a new visitor centre and café located in Perry Park, new play facilities for all ages in the park, as well as new pathways and cycle routes around the park.
A total of 370 jobs were created throughout the redevelopment of the stadium, as well as 35 apprenticeships, work placements and internships, and 756 weeks’ worth of vocational training.
As well as hosting sports events during the Games, the stadium also hosted the opening and closing ceremonies, including memorable moments like the introduction of the Raging Bull and an appearance by Brummie Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
McLaughlin & Harvey recently won the Inspiring Change in the Community Project at the Inspiring Change Awards for their initiative on the project. 58% of employment was created for those living within 30 miles of the Perry Barr site, and 334 members of the workforce were upskilled throughout the course of the project.
Over 600 schoolchildren and 91 community and education groups were engaged throughout the redevelopment of the stadium. £80,000 of community investment was also achieved during that time.
Work to remove structures at the stadium that were put in place for the Commonwealth Games is now ongoing. Gymnastics classes at the Gymnastics and Martial Arts Centre have already resumed at the wider Stadium site, which is also home to Birchfield Harriers athletics club – whose members will benefit from the new facilities too.
If approved, the programme of works will be carried out in phases, that will be completed between early 2023 and spring 2024.