Commonwealth Games 'gateway' plan

The council hopes it will share in the Games' legacy

Renfrewshire Council hopes the area will be seen as the 'Gateway to the Games' in the run-up to the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

It plans to capitalise on its geographical position as Glasgow's neighbour and the location of the city's airport.

It will seek to maximise the sporting and economic legacy from the event.

This weekend more than 100 sporting delegates will meet at a summit in Paisley to discuss their vision.

Sports Champion

Councillor Susan McDonald, Renfrewshire Council's Sports Champion, said: "We have the opportunity to put sport high on the agenda for many years.

"The summit will raise awareness and appreciation of the wider value of sport perhaps highlighting to key decision-makers that sport provides valuable life and social skills - discipline, behaviour, fair play, team-work and communication skills, among them."

Minister for Communities and Sport Stewart Maxwell said: "I am delighted that Renfrewshire is taking proactive and positive approach to the opportunities that the Games can present for the area, in terms of potential tourism and the prospects for Renfrewshire's emerging athletes.

"Renfrewshire has a strong sporting culture and its location, neighbouring Glasgow, means it's extremely well placed to benefit from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games."

Renfrewshire Council leader Derek Mackay says: "Renfrewshire's unique position with Glasgow Airport, improved transport links and availability of sports and training facilities makes us ideally equipped to gain a range of sporting, tourism and economic benefits from the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games."