New sports venues given go-ahead

Two new stadia would be a "major boost" said the council

Two new multi-million pound national sports centres have been approved by Scotland's largest local authority.

The Glasgow arenas will cost £26.8m and provide for communities and a base for football, rugby and athletics.

Council leader Steven Purcell said the investment gives Glasgow's chances of hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games "a real competitive edge".

Work on the new venues is expected to get under way in February 2007 with completion in 2008.

Councillors approved an £18.4m funding package for Scotstoun Rugby and Atheltics Stadium and Toryglen Regional Centre.

A further £7.5m is expected to be provided by the Sportscotland agency.

The remainder of the funding has already been agreed by the council.

Mr Purcell said: "We're determined to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Scotland.

"Obviously we are out to win the games but this decision brings more world-class sporting facilities to our sportsmen and women, not just from the city but from across Scotland."

Scotstoun could be a training venue for the 2014 games

He added: "The real winners will be today's school children who can improve their health by using these facilities and hopefully they will be the stars gracing the podium in Glasgow in 2014."

The proposals have the approval of the Scottish Football Association, Scottish Rugby Union and Scottish Athletics.

The estimated cost of building the Toryglen Regional Centre is £14m.

It will provide an indoor and outdoor football centre close to the National Stadium at Hampden.

Proposals include an indoor synthetic pitch for football and rugby with capacity for 700 spectators.

It will be the first of its kind available to the public in Scotland, said the council.

There are plans for three floodlit synthetic pitches and one grass pitch, five-a-side courts and a goalkeeper's training area outdoors.

They will be available to communities, football clubs, SFA youth development and squad training.

The Scottish Women's Football Association is considering using the centre as its base.

Glasgow Rugby will base themselves at Scotstoun Stadium

The proposals for Scotstoun will provide a new purpose-built stadium for rugby and athletics.

The stadium will become home to the Glasgow rugby team and the recently formed Glasgow Athletics Association.

It is hoped the venue will stage major televised professional rugby matches and athletics.

It will provide a training venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games if Glasgow is successful with its bid and a potential competition venue for the Rugby Sevens.

The stadium will also be capable of staging other outdoor sporting events such as football and American football.

Proposals include permanent seating for 5,000 spectators.

It will create an indoor athletics training and warm-up track.