host city

Category: Sporting Venues

  • NFL partnership helps ‘drive up standards’ for Tottenham’s new stadium

    NFL partnership helps ‘drive up standards’ for Tottenham’s new stadium

    Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium partnership with the NFL has been described as a “visionary moment” by a director of the club.
    With 61,559 seats, Spurs’ new home will be largest capacity football club stadium in London and will feature a single-tier South Stand able to accommodate 17,500 spectators.
    Expected to be complete for the beginning of the 2018-19 season, the multi-use stadium will include a fully retractable football pitch that can be replaced by a synthetic grass surface to be used for NFL games and other events.
    The NFL signed a 10-year deal with the English Premier League club to use the stadium as its dedicated home for American football games in the UK.
    Tottenham executive director Donna-Maria Cullen believes the NFL deal has improved standards in the design and technological aspects of the new facility.
    Speaking at the Telegraph Business of Sport conference in London, Cullen said of the NFL partnership: “It was a visionary moment by Daniel [Levy, Tottenham chairman].
    “One of the reasons we looked at the NFL was to create something different in Tottenham. You have to deliver more than a Premier League football club.
    “The NFL will be a very different sport. But it has driven up standards in stadium. It’s a whole new audience.”
    Construction of the new stadium means Tottenham will play their home games next season at Wembley.

  • HOK reveals design for multipurpose Yas Arena

    HOK reveals design for multipurpose Yas Arena

    (Source: HOK) A new cultural landmark is in the works for Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Yas Arena will be the first multipurpose built arena in the city designed to accommodate a wide variety of sport and entertainment events. The facility’s dynamic form and illuminated lantern facade is intended to both complement and animate the expanding waterfront promenade at Yas Bay.HOK, a leader in International sport and entertainment design, is part of the WSP-led team responsible for delivering the design of Yas Arena, with support from Pascall+Watson. The team was engaged by Miral Asset Management, the entity responsible for the development of the broad southern part of Yas Island.  In addition to the architectural design of Yas Arena, HOK also designed the adjacent arena retail and dining destination along the boardwalk, forming a mixed-use anchor on the east end of Yas Bay.
    “Our goal is to create an exceptional entertainment experience for fans and spectators,” said John Rhodes, a director of HOK’s Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice. “Yas Arena will be the centrepiece of the development and serve as a destination on Yas Island.”
    HOK designed Yas Arena to create an intimate, highly flexible and efficient venue with excellent acoustics that can be used year-round for a variety of sport and entertainment events.
    “Our team knew the building needed to be smart, adaptable and technologically-advanced in order to efficiently transform for the wide variety of events the client wished to host,” added Rhodes. “This transformability will make Yas Arena one of the most sophisticated arenas in the world.”
    The arena is designed to expand from an intimate 500-seat theatre to an 18,000-capacity venue, maximizing revenue and supporting a wide variety of events. This focus on flexibility carries over to premium and back-of-house spaces. The arena is designed to adapt to create the ideal user experience for a diverse set of events, including community gatherings, concerts, performances, sporting events, and meetings and conventions.
    Premium spaces include a VIP lounge that can be transformed into a grand ballroom for events, hospitality boxes and unique terrace bars for receptions and parties.
    Additional amenities, including food and beverage, will be located adjacent to the arena to create a linear street that stretches down the waterfront promenade. This outdoor concourse will create a festival-like atmosphere to generate year-round activity. The outdoor concourse will provide connectivity to the surrounding district on Yas Bay.
    “The development of the UAE’s first 18,000 capacity-arena will place Yas Island among the leaders for performance and events venues.” said Jonathan Brown, development director of Miral Asset Management. “We’re proud to set a new benchmark in the industry as we provide visitors with even bigger and better events to enjoy—all of which will perfectly showcase Yas Island’s excellence and vivacity.”
    Yas Island is a new multipurpose leisure, shopping and entertainment destination that includes a hotel cluster, the Yas Marina F1 circuit and a growing number of theme parks. Yas Arena will be located directly on the waterfront and serve as an anchor for the promenade that will feature more than 50 cafes and restaurants, 20 retail outlets, a recreational pier, two hotels and a beach club.

  • Populous-designed Warner Stand opens at Lord’s Cricket Ground

    Populous-designed Warner Stand opens at Lord’s Cricket Ground

    Populous, the global architecture and design practice, has completed work on the redevelopment of the Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London – the UK’s largest cricket ground and host of matches in the upcoming 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup and 2019 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
    Venue owner Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)’s Assistant Secretary (Estates) Robert Ebdon said, “MCC is very proud of its history of commissioning individual stands and buildings at Lord’s, each with their own character. With their vision for the new Warner Stand, Populous has designed an architecturally distinctive and pioneering building which has enhanced the aesthetics of the ground while delivering world-class functionality.”
    The new stand replaces the original 1950s Warner Stand, which was considered unfit for purpose. What was once one of the worst stands in world Cricket is now leading the way.
    “It is a privilege for the practice to add to the wonderful heritage of the ‘Home of Cricket’,” said Philip Johnson, Populous Senior Principal and Project Lead.
    “The new Warner Stand has been designed to complement the existing campus of buildings at Lord’s, providing excellent views of the action, world-class match control facilities, a number of bars, and a new restaurant with fantastic views overlooking the ground. Lord’s has a special place in the hearts of cricketers and fans, and this new stand will help cement its position as the finest cricket ground in the world.”
    Located between the Grade II listed Pavilion and the Grand Stand, the new Warner Stand has been designed to deliver an enhanced spectator experience and a significant upgrade to facilities.
    Views and accessibility have been improved while the time taken to travel between the seats and amenities has been decreased.
    A new “futureproof” Match Control Suite exceeds ICC (International Cricket Council) and ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) standards.
    The venue has 100 days on non-cricket events each year and income from these events will be boosted by revitalised hospitality facilities, including a restaurant, bars at all levels and catering outlets. The enlarged, 135-cover restaurant occupies features a glazed wall with impressive large sash windows along the side of the room facing the pitch, offering stunning views over Lord’s.
    The project team included consulting engineers Arup and contractor BAM Construct Ltd, who selected a white, translucent insulating tensile fabric membrane from Tayo for the roof over the restaurant – the first use in Europe of this aerogel-coated fabric.
    In addition to Tayo’s roof, other subcontracted elements included glazing from Fleetwood, in-situ concrete from GCL, precast concrete from Creagh of Northern Ireland, and staircases and glass balustrading from Structural Stairways.
    The fabric roof is supported by American White Oak beams that form a series of structural ‘ribs’, which cantilever over the seating tier, radiating from the corner of the Ground in a form reminiscent of a spreading palm leaf. Rainwater runs back to the rear where it is collected at basement level and stored to flush lavatories.
    In addition to rainwater recycling, a green roof over the rear part of the building and green walls on the garden facade, solar thermal and photovoltaic roof panels have been incorporated into the roof to generate hot water and electricity. Boreholes and ground source heat pumps are also an integral part of the energy system, making the heating and cooling system carbon neutral.
    Populous will continue to work with MCC developing its masterplan for the venue as a whole. According to MCC, the overall redevelopment plan is scheduled to continue through to 2029 and will cost a total £180-200m.
    The future development of the ground will further boost its ability to host non-cricket events, including a £42m new East Gate building including a multi-function hall scheduled for completion by 2024.

  • De Boer to create Middle East’s biggest semi-permanent exhibition hall

    De Boer to create Middle East’s biggest semi-permanent exhibition hall

    De Boer Middle East has won the contract to build a high-specification semi-permanent exhibition hall at King Abdullah Economic City located close to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
    At 6,500 sq m useable space, the King Abdullah Exhibition Centre will be one of the largest temporary structures to be built in the region.
    Sustainability is a key feature of the building, which has an expected life span in its current location of between five to ten years. Following this, it can be dismantled and reused in a new location, as exhibitions move to a permanent facility being built in the coming years.
    Furthermore, specially insulated wall panels on the Delta Emperor structure will be added to reduce air conditioning requirements especially during the summer months, improving overall energy efficiency.
    The semi-permanent structure, which has a 60 m x 90 m footprint, will house exhibition and meeting space of more than 6,500 sq m – larger than a football pitch. The turnkey venue combines the latest temporary structure technology combined with traditional building techniques to deliver the look and feel of a permanent building. The whole venue is designed with a high specification interior fit out encompassing adaptable conference rooms and retractable exhibition hall divides.
    Another advantage of the De Boer temporary structure solution is rapid build-times with construction to be completed within two to three months instead of the usual one to two-year timeframe for permanent builds.
    The hall will be centrally located in the King Abdullah Economic City project, situated 100 kilometers north of Jeddah. This newly planned city has injected around SR207 billion ($55 billion) into the local economy, with 260,000 apartments and 56,000 villas planned for completion by 2020. The King Abdullah Exhibition Centre is expected to be the centrepiece in the economic city and a draw for visitors to the region.
    Commenting on the contract win, Edward Gallagher, De Boer Middle East’s Business Development Director, stated: “We’re delighted to be partnering with one of the most innovative, forward-thinking organisations and cities in the Middle East in delivering this exhibition centre project. As a result of choosing De Boer Middle East the city can expect to be delivering exhibitions and events by October – drawing thousands of people, driving tourism and bringing in revenue.
    “With our continued developments in construction technology, De Boer can now deliver full, turnkey venues for any need, from temporary airport terminals to warehouses and sports facilities to exhibition venues in weeks instead of years. These are facilities that will last at least 10-15 years without any maintenance overhaul.
    “In a growing, forward-thinking environment such as the Middle East where governments, developers and companies are continuing to invest, whether building new cities or just expanding their operations, we are seeing ever-increasing demand for our solutions as people realise it’s possible to have something akin to a permanent facility but in a fraction of the time,” Gallagher concluded.
    With around 500 projects per year, De Boer also delivers the world’s largest temporary exhibition hall for the bi-annual Farnborough Airshow in the UK and installs temporary structures annually at the largest global trade fair – Bauma in Germany.
    Source: De Boer Middle East

  • Eco-friendly rehabilitation of synthetic surfaces

    Eco-friendly rehabilitation of synthetic surfaces

    A time-saving and eco-friendly option for making running tracks that are showing their age as good as new again is to have the synthetic surface professionally re-topped. This entails laying a new wear layer on top of the existing installation – so there is no need to excavate and dispose of the old material.
    In its portfolio, Polytan has two re-topping products that can be installed on any existing surface: Rekortan M RT, the water-impermeable system coated in situ, and Spurtan WS RT, the structural system that is permeable to water. One is a PUR coating with strewn EPDM granules, the other a spray coating.
    Running tracks with elastic synthetic surfaces such as we know them today have been the only acceptable surface for athletics events at elite level since the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968. The functional qualities they provide for sport, such as energy enhancement and shock absorbency, mean they are now part and parcel of modern sports facilities – whether the running tracks are for schoolchildren, amateur or professional athletes.
     
    Intensity of use and type of system determine the useful life
    The useful life of a synthetic surface generally varies between 10 and 30 years, depending on the intensity of use and the type of system that is in-stalled. In principle, a surface that is coated or poured in situ (also called a solid synthetic surface) is much more hard-wearing and long-lasting than a structured surface (sometimes referred to as a spray coating or spray surface).
    Since spray coatings have a thinner wear layer than products poured or coated in situ, they wear out much sooner due to the effect of spikes, for instance. In addition to abrasion, the running tracks harden over time and become brittle – an ageing process of synthetic floors that occurs relatively quickly in the case of prefabricated strips. Polytan’s product range includes only synthetic surfaces that are installed in situ in liquid form, allowing them to be optimally adapted to the local circumstances.
     
    The condition of the old surface is the decisive factor
    Whether re-topping makes sense will depend on the condition of the existing running track. This is determined in a defined test procedure in which variables such as shock absorption and tensile strength are analysed alongside the evenness of the surface and the general condition of the substrate.
    If the re-topped track is to be certified as meeting the requirements for inter-national competition laid down by the IAAF, the governing body of world athletics, the inspection is much more intensive than if the aim is merely to refresh the look of the track. For successful re-topping it is immaterial what method of construction was used for the initial installation, whether it was laid in situ or as prefabricated strips, or who the original manufacturer was: the cost of rehabilitation is determined only by its condition.
    If the substrate is suitable for re-topping, the old surface is first cleaned thoroughly and any damaged areas are improved. The next stage is – if necessary – to adapt the existing sports equipment, such as the sandpit for the long jump, to the higher level of the future surface. The third and final stage is the actual re-topping process. This is when a new wear layer is laid seamlessly on the existing old surface, optionally as a PUR coating with strewn EPDM granules or as a spray coating. Once hardened, the rehabilitated running track can no longer be distinguished from a new installation. 
    The Rekortan M RT (PUR coating) and Spurtan WS RT (spray coating) re-topping systems from Polytan can be used on tracks that are permeable to water as well as those that are impermeable. Both rehabilitation solutions have structured surfaces, are suitable for spikes and therefore offer the optimum base for professional applications.
    For more information visit www.polytan.de

  • Top-class gymnastics action to return to SSE Hydro as part of Glasgow 2018

    Top-class gymnastics action to return to SSE Hydro as part of Glasgow 2018

    [Source: Glasgow 2018] The SSE Hydro will once again take centre stage next summer when it hosts the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships as part of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships.
    When some of the best gymnasts in the world step up to show their remarkable talents as they aim to strike gold, this city landmark will continue its reputation for attracting the finest competitors and most exciting competitions in the sport.
    As a venue for the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the stunning SSE Hydro has witnessed plenty of special sporting moments over the years and will be the place to be for gymnastics fans when the Championships are in full swing. You can make sure you’re there to see champions crowned by getting your tickets here.
    Aside from its record of holding unforgettable sporting events, the SSE Hydro, which has provided a stage for some of the biggest stars of music, has also been recognised by Pollstar as the second busiest live entertainment arena in the world.
    But, soon enough, the spotlight will be back on athletes’ show-stopping routines.
    Glasgow 2018 sporting ambassador Max Whitlock will be looking to continue a fine record when he returns to Glasgow, after clinching first place in the pommel horse two years ago and a medal haul including three golds at 2014’s Commonwealth Games.
    The same event also brought success for Brit Claudia Fragapane, who became the first Englishwoman to win four golds at a single Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
    And Scotland’s Dan Keatings was also on the podium, securing a gold and two silvers in front of a home crowd.
    Away from the GB stars, the SSE Hydro has also been the location for incredible performances from athletes coming from further afield.
    At the Worlds in 2015, Greece’s Eleftherios Petrounias wowed to come out on top in the men’s rings, while, among the other highlights, Romanian favourite Marian Dragulescu, a four-time world champion, took silver on the vault.
    With just months to go until Glasgow 2018 gets underway, many of those hoping to write their name in the history books have already had their say on competing somewhere that those in the sport know so well.
    Sporting ambassador Max said: “I’m really excited about Glasgow 2018 – it is always great to compete at a multi-sport event and I have always loved it here in Glasgow. The crowd is always amazing and give you that extra lift. It can make such a difference to your performance out there on the podium.
    “I witnessed that first-hand during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and again at the World Championships the following year. So I have no doubt that Glasgow 2018 will be a huge success.”
    Claudia also can’t wait to return to a venue that holds special memories.
    She said: “The atmosphere was just breath-taking. There was a lot of pressure because everyone wanted us to do well. We wanted to do well and we knew we could do it so to get that massive roar from the crowd helped us with each performance. It will be amazing to go back to Glasgow – the city has such a special place in my heart.”
    And Nile Wilson, who won team silver in the 2015 World Championships in Glasgow, added: “The SSE Hydro has hosted some of the greatest moments of my career. The home support really, really does make a difference. And obviously we’re now looking forward to next year’s European Championships and I’m really excited at the prospect of competing once again in Glasgow.”

  • Losberger De Boer appoints Arnout de Hair as new CEO

    Losberger De Boer appoints Arnout de Hair as new CEO

    [Source: Losberger De Boer] Arnout de Hair succeeds Berndt Zoepffel who steps down from his current position as CEO and will be joining the Supervisory Board of Directors of the company.
    The Supervisory Board is grateful to Berndt Zoepffel for his contribution to the successful growth of Losberger De Boer. “Losberger De Boer has undergone an impressive development under the leadership of Berndt Zoepffel since he joined the company in 1996. The merger with De Boer Structures in May of 2017 was an important milestone in a period of strong internal and external growth. Today, Losberger De Boer is a leading global player providing a wide range of products and services to many highly recognized customers.
    The merger between Losberger and De Boer is a major step in becoming a leading provider in temporary space solutions and we are on the threshold of a new phase in the further development of our company. We came to the conclusion that in the coming years, strong emphasis will be placed on the further integration of the various companies that were acquired during the last few years to fully benefit from all the available capabilities. Arnout de Hair has shown strong leadership during the transition of De Boer into a strong and profitable company. We are convinced that with him we have a very good candidate to fulfil that future role at Losberger De Boer.”
    Peter Rijkoort, current Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of the Losberger De Boer Group, will be appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Losberger De Boer on 1 February 2018.
    He will then step down from his position in the Supervisory Board of Directors. Peter Rijkoort has extensive international experience and has built a strong track record in senior management positions at various companies. He was a member of the Supervisory Board of Directors of De Boer Structures from 2010 until 2014 and is acting Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of Losberger since 2016.
    Arnout de Hair joined De Boer Structures in 1998 and was appointed as COO in 2001 and as CEO of the company in 2012. After the merger with Losberger, he was appointed as COO of Losberger De Boer. Arnout de Hair has built extensive operational and general management experience during his various senior management roles at Losberger De Boer. He studied Economy and Logistics at the Royal Military Academy and Business Administration at IBO, the Netherlands.

  • Will Beijing be ready to host the Winter Olympics by 2022?

    Will Beijing be ready to host the Winter Olympics by 2022?

    With PyeongChang 2018 just around the corner, the following Winter Games might seem a long way away – but four years is a short time in the Olympic movement.
    According to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, all venues will finished by the end of 2019, in time for test events in 2020.
    The Beijing 2022 Olympic Games will feature 26 venues, all of which are under construction. Some of these are being repurposed after hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. Others, mostly in Yanqing and Zhangjiakou, are being built from scratch.
    Speaking at World Winter Sports Expo in Beijing, Irina Gladkikh, Winter Sports Director, IOC said: “There is a great progress across all areas. The IOC president attended the opening of the China National Games where he took the opportunity to visit several Olympic venues of the 2022 winter Games. And the IOC president was very excited about progress in the venue development.
    “The sport department of the organising committee is working in close collaboration with the IOC sport department and they are doing a fantastic job.
    “We are also delighted to see that the Winter Olympic federations are heavily involved in the Games planning and delivery in the venue development progress, in the test event planning and building a good strong team to deliver the Games. The international federations bring great knowledge and experience and they do share your vision for the great Games, for the great legacy and for the growth of winter sports in China and the global promotion of China as a winter sports destination.”
    Risto Nieminen, President, Finnish Olympic Committee and Member of IOC Coordination Commission for Beijing 2022, expressed Beijing’s readiness with an allegory from Canadian Paralympic athlete Chantal Petitclerc, winner of 13 Paralympic gold medals.
    “I was listening to her presentation in Montreal in a Congress in 2012 and she was explaining about her career and told her life story, and her progress to be in the Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008 where she won five gold medals in wheelchair racing.
    “In the end of her presentation she showed us a video in which she was achieving her greatest victory in the 100m in the Paralympic Games. It was so exciting, because she only won in the last metre. Everyone jumped up from the audience and started applauding.
    “And then she said, thank you for applauding but this is not the reason I came here today to tell my life story. And thanks for the empathy – she was paralysed when she was 13 years old – but that’s what I need either.
    “She said, I came here to tell you to understand that I didn’t win the gold medal in the 16 seconds you just saw – I won it in the 16 years I spent preparing for it. And if you have respect for me, don’t have respect because of the 16 seconds, but because of the 16 years I spent trying to achieve my goal.
    “And I think this is the essence of sport. It’s not about the victory, it’s not about the instant wins – it’s about the pursuit. It’s about giving everything you have and trying your best, and that’s where the respect comes from.
    “We all understand that China will achieve the goals. I know we will build every facility that is needed. But at the same time, we need to be cultivating the winter sports culture behind it, understanding that it’s not the instant victories –  it’s the long-term pursuit, trying your best at building the culture that actually makes the result.
    “My second remark is about the very extraordinary thing we have to understand about winter sports. Snow and ice include a very playful, joyful element. Every time you see a kid in the snow – and that includes me at my age; when I see snow and ice it makes me want to place – every kid wants to play with the snow and ice.
    “That makes winter sports very special, because lots of winter sports are not only about skills but about having fun and playing, and that’s part of the winter sports culture that’s unique. It makes people want to play – it’s very joyful and very playful sport. That makes it a sport for all. That is something that’s very necessary to understand when we are building facilities, that it is sports for all.
    “And it includes the fact that winter sport is always open to new forms of sport. We know that China is very strong in new sports and is open for creating new forms of sport, and that’s very necessary for the development of sport in our society.
    “My third remark comes to the issue of sustainability. When we are building facilities and speeding up building, we have to keep up the sustainable ideology. Every method that we are using must be sustainable and the process of planning must be very sustainable so that we are not building anything that’s not necessary or that has no real use. I know that here for Beijing 2022 we are not building anything that does not have a plan for using it as a sports facility for the future.
    “To conclude, it’s very much about building and cultivating a winter sports culture, involving a joyful element, remembering winter sports is a fun sport for all, and it’s about understanding youth and new sports in a sustainable environment.”
    This comments in this article were made at World Winter Sports Expo in Beijing in September 2017 and first appeared in the Winter issue of Host City magazine.

  • Scotland’s events portfolio continues to thrive with funding awarded to 12 events

    Scotland’s events portfolio continues to thrive with funding awarded to 12 events

    Twelve events from across 10 local authorities are to benefit from nearly £100,000 of funding from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate
    Among them are five events receiving funding for the first time, including Cream o’ the Croft in Comrie Croft, Perthshire, and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival in Newburgh, Fife
    The National Programme Fund plays an integral role in developing domestic tourism across Scotland by help grow the country’s diverse events portfolio

    Nearly £100,000 of funding has been awarded to 12 events and festivals across Scotland from the latest round of EventScotland’s National Programme Fund.
    Among them are Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival, two of five events and festivals receiving funding for the first time from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate.
    Taking place in June and August respectively, and organised by Muckmedden Ltd, the two family-friendly mountain bike events offer more than just your average mountain bike festival. With something for everyone, including mountain bike racing, live music, gourmet food and drink, and wild camping, the two events are the perfect book ends to the summer.
    Both events have been awarded £5,000 each to enhance the PR and marketing support and activity around the event, including video production and online advertising.
    Aaron Gray, Events Director at Muckmedden Ltd, said: “We would like to sincerely thank EventScotland for their invaluable support with Cream o’ the Croft and The Eliminator. The generous funding we have been awarded will allow us to promote both of our family-friendly festivals to all of the UK. The investment also gives us the freedom to significantly improve the quality of infrastructure and entertainment at both venues as we seek to attract not only mountain bikers, but young families and music festival-goers to Highland Perthshire and Fife.”
    Also receiving funding is Bonfest, the three-day rock music festival that celebrates the life and music of the AC/DC legend Bon Scott. Held in his home town of Kirriemuir, and organised by Scottish charity DD8 Music, this is the third year the festival has received funding from EventScotland. Over that time the funding has helped the festival expand its offer and increase its attendance, with a record attendance of 6,000 from 27 countries turning out across the three days for last year’s festival. This year the festival has been awarded £9,332 towards increasing the capacity and quality of the campsite as well as for staging in Bellies Brae car park, next to the Bon Scott Statue, that will showcase young bands as part of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018. 
    Graham Galloway, DD8 Music Chairperson, said: “DD8 Music are delighted that Bonfest is being supported for the third year by the National Programme Fund. The fund has enabled the festival to grow significantly over the past few years, and we would have found this very difficult to achieve without the help and support of EventScotland. As a youth music charity, we are very excited to be one of the many amazing Year of Young People events happening all over Scotland, which are celebrating the talent and ambition of our upcoming generation.”
    The National Programme Fund supports the strategic development of events which occur outside of Edinburgh and Glasgow, with the aim of driving tourism, delivering economic impact for local communities and generating media profile for Scotland. Since 2008, EventScotland has invested more than £3.9m into 363 events across the country. Building on existing event activities, extending marketing reach and enhancing the on-site food and drink offer are just some of the ways funding is put to use by events and festivals.
    Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “We are delighted to be funding these 12 amazing events and festivals from the latest round of EventScotland’s National Programme Fund. Taking place across 10 local authorities between May and October, these events and festivals will bring real impact by attracting visitors and driving economic impact in their local area.
    “The National Programme Fund plays a vital role in maintaining Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for events and it is through events like these that we can ensure we continue to have a dynamic events portfolio that benefits everyone.”
    The full list of events receiving support from Round 37 of EventScotland’s National Programme Fund are:

    Event

    Date

    Funding

    Local Authority

    Website

    Bonfest

    4 – 6 May

    £9,332

    Angus Council

    www.bonfest.com/

    Highlands and Islands Music and Dance Festival

    4 – 6 May

    £6,680

    Argyll and Bute Council

    www.obanfestival.org/
     

    Etape Caledonia

    19 – 20 May

    £8,500

    Perth and Kinross Council

    etapecaledonia.co.uk/

    Oban Live

    8 – 9 June

    £11,250

    Argyll and Bute Council

    obanlive.com/
     

    BEMBA British Enduro Mountain Bike Championships

    9 – 10 June

    £10,000

    Scottish Borders

    tweedlove.com/2018-event-info/british-enduro-champs
     

    St Kilda Challenge & Festival

    14 – 16 June

    £5,750

    Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

    www.calmac.co.uk/stkilda/challenge
     

    Cream O’ the Croft

    15 – 17 June

    £5,000

    Perth and Kinross Council

    www.creamothecroft.co.uk/
     

    North Atlantic Fiddle Convention

    11 – 15 July

    £10,500

    Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council

    www.abdn.ac.uk/nafco/
     

    Run the Blades

    20 – 21 July

    £4,000

    East Renfrewshire Council

    www.breakingstrain.co.uk/run-the-blades/
     

    Dundee Summer Streets Festival

    21 – 22 July

    £7,400

    Dundee City Council

    www.dundee.com/event/dundee-summer-streets-festival

    Eliminator Mountain Bike Festival

    31 August – 2 September

    £5,000

    Fife Council

    www.muckmedden.co.uk/our-events/the-eliminator/
     

    Findhorn Bay  Festival

    26 September – 1 October

    £15,760

    Moray Council

    findhornbayfestival.com/

    TOTAL FUNDING AWARDED

     

    £99,172

     

     

     

  • Populous, the event designers

    Populous, the event designers

    Host City: What to you is the most exciting thing currently going on in the world of major events?
    Soaad Stott: Honestly, it’s an incredibly exciting time for the world of overlay – we seem to be at the threshold of some really big changes. The Olympic & Paralympics are obviously the gold standard in our industry, but for good reason. Everything that we do in overlay is on view in this magnificent showcase.
    With the approval of Olympic Agenda 2020 in 2014, it became very clear that the Olympic Movement is fully behind the use of existing and temporary venues wherever possible, with the goal of reducing costs, improving sustainability and allowing the hosting of global events to become accessible to a greater number of nations and communities. This is starting to come to fruition – with the forthcoming Games in Tokyo, we’re going to see the first Games designed without an Olympic Park, which will be really exciting.
    While the Olympic and Paralympic Games are leading the way on the global scale, this design approach is becoming increasingly adopted by events at all levels. The opportunities that event and overlay design affords for regeneration, activation and innovative design can have a fantastic influence on everyone involved, whether visitors to the events, or residents in legacy. Anyone who saw 2015 The Rugby World Cup at alternative sporting venues across the UK can attest to our industry’s ability to really change the existing conversation or perceived identity around existing venues for major events. The London Stadium and stadiummk were prime examples of new rugby audiences experiencing a venue and having a fantastic experience.
    Of course, some sports have a completely unique character, such as the party nature of the beach volleyball tournament, but that is also embraced by temporary design, particularly when the temporary venues chosen are in such spectacular locations like the beach volleyball in the heart of London. During the beach volleyball at both London 2012 and at Baku 2015, dancers would emerge between matches in cheerleader style and energise the audience. Though an elite sport was being played, putting on a spectacular show was also a key part of this event. Temporary overlay design can have a truly special character, all of its own, and that’s what we really aim for at Populous.
    Host City: A really exciting project you are working on is Paris 2024, following on from your successful work on London 2012.
    Soaad Stott: It seems that Paris 2024 is taking the lead from London on how to do overlay better. As I said, the huge amount of temporary overlay and facilities in London set a real precedent.
    Paris is the Park and the design of every venue has some legacy and sustainable content. There were so many meetings; not just with the International Federations, but also with the city and its residents.
    A large number of the drawings we produced during the bid phase are actually to demonstrate the plans the stakeholders, local councillors and residents, making sure that everyone was informed and on board with the plans for the Games and for legacy, which forms a major component of the bid we created with Paris 2024.
    Most of the venues are already there – we were just making sure the plans were feasible and genuinely workable and what people wanted.
    Host City: How does the design of the Olympic Games fit in with the city of Paris?
    Soaad Stott: Because there is no Olympic Park in the bid, Paris itself really is the park. It’s very much part of philosophy of these Games, that it’s for Paris as a whole and not just pockets of Paris.
    In somewhere as compact as Paris where space is such a premium, there are challenges but definite benefits. There’s an energy and charm that you get from having all the landmarks close together.
    As well as historic beauty, Paris also has a modern urban side. We wanted to make sure all these aspects were incorporated and all represented in the designs. One of the brilliant things was being able to locate some of the new Olympic sports in ancient monuments and sites and have the juxtaposing of the modern with the old, beautiful Paris.
    We designed it so that every venue would have a similar feel. Everywhere you go you will have the same Olympic experience. The streets and boulevards will also be part of the whole experience of excitement people moving around the city, with parks becoming community activation sites and fan fests. It will be an incredible experience, with the most beautiful and iconic spaces within Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles, being infused with a sporting identity through the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
    This exclusive interview first appeared in the Winter 2017 edition of Host City magazine. Sooad Stott spoke at Host City 2017, the largest meeting of sports, business and cultural events