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Games can help revitalise economy
21/12/2011
Scottish businesses have now won 133 of the 171 contracts awarded through the Glasgow Business Portal Shona Robison said today.
The Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport said firms large and small from across Scotland were winning valuable contracts while a further 158 contracts have been awarded to Scottish companies by London 2012.
In a statement updating Parliament on delivering Scotland's largest ever sporting event, Ms Robison said preparations for the Games, which are on time and on budget, were already supporting thousands of construction jobs, providing a welcome boost to the Scottish economy.
Ms Robison also announced that, in a bid to leave a lasting legacy from the Games and inspire Scots to become increasingly physically active, a new target had been set of delivering 150 Community Sport Hubs by 2016 - with at least half to be based in schools.
She said:
"Preparations for a memorable Glasgow 2014 are progressing well, with many of the venues already in place and work underway on the remaining facilities.
"The Games will have a transformational impact on Glasgow through new infrastructure and regeneration that will leave a lasting legacy of reduced journey times, lower congestion and opportunities for improved public transport that will benefit not just Glasgow but the whole West of Scotland.
"The Games are increasingly giving a welcome boost to the wider economy. Businesses large and small are winning valuable contracts from both Glasgow 2014 and London 2012.
"We have already seen 1,000s of jobs maintained to construct some of the key infrastructure projects around the Games. For our young people in particular they are providing a much needed step on to the employment ladder providing real social and economic hope.
"And shortly the Organising Committee will make a announcement on the contracts for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games offering Scotland's burgeoning creative sector an opportunity to play its part in making these Games a spectacular success.
"But the benefits of the Games will be felt beyond Glasgow, and I've been very clear that helping Scots get more physically active is our over-riding legacy ambition. That's why we are continuing to invest in ensuring that we provide easy access to local facilities for communities across Scotland and I am delighted to announce that there are now 41 Community Sports Hubs up and running throughout Scotland.
"These hubs are providing a home for the community to come together. They cater to the local needs of each community and support participation in physical activity across the country.
"I am committed to build on the success we have achieved so far by setting a new target of having 150 Hubs by 2016 with at least half of these based in schools. This demonstrates our commitment to deliver a legacy beyond 2014 and reinforces our view of the important role community sport plays, particularly using the school estate.
"Scotland will be a stronger sporting nation following the Commonwealth Games and this commitment reinforces our view that Community Sports hubs will play a critical role in helping to deliver our aspirations throughout Scotland."
This is the third time that Scotland has been chosen to host the Games. The previous two were in Edinburgh, the first in 1970 and again in 1986.
The Scottish Government is one of three partners in the Games, and will contribute 80 per cent to the net public cost of the Games. The other partners are Glasgow City Council, which will contribute 20 per cent to the net public cost of the Games, and Commonwealth Games Scotland.