[Source: Birmingham 2022] The new campus model will see 1,600 athletes and officials housed at the NEC Hotel Campus, 1,900 at The University of Warwick, and the principal village with 2,800 at The University of Birmingham.
The decision to move away from the single site athletes’ village in the Perry Barr area of the city has been made by the Games Partnership with just under two years to go, after reviewing the impact of the global health pandemic. It follows an assessment by the project delivery team, who has been working with the construction supply chain, as well as independent experts, on how they could de-risk Games delivery. With a shorter than normal timeframe for delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Games, the new build accommodation site was under continued review from the outset, with expert consultation throughout, and had very little scope to withstand the impact COVID-19 has had on construction.
The Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme, with new housing and transport infrastructure, will still be delivered. This council-led residential scheme has been accelerated due to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and has been made possible with additional investment from central government.
The new three-site campus model for Birmingham 2022 athlete accommodation will be delivered within the overall Games budget of £778 million, with the Games remaining on track to be delivered on time and on budget.
The decision to move to three campus villages across the West Midlands has the support of athlete representatives and Commonwealth Games Associations across the world who have been told of the new plans.
Ian Reid, CEO of Birmingham 2022 said: “These are challenging times for all of us and delivering a major multi sports event during this period has meant we have needed to collaborate effectively, be pragmatic to change, and remain realistic about the challenges we face.
We recognise that this new model is a move away from the historic norm and we are grateful for the support shown by our partners across the Commonwealth Games Associations.
Birmingham and the West Midlands is extremely fortunate to have superb alternate facilities and we are making this decision now, with two years to go, to de-risk the project, ensure delivery for athletes and teams and secure the legacy of new housing and transport infrastructure in Perry Barr.
This is the sensible and pragmatic thing to do for the Games, the athletes and for the people of Birmingham. It enables Birmingham City Council to focus on the delivery of the Perry Barr Regeneration Scheme and gives us enough time to plan essential Games services like transport and security. Furthermore, it offers athletes and teams the assurance of a warm welcome and a superb Games experience in their homes-from-home across the West Midlands”.
Alistair Brownlee, Commonwealth Games England’s nominee and vice-chair of the Birmingham 2022 Athlete Advisory Committee said: “Making this decision with just under two years to go until the Games, means there is early clarity for team officials and athletes about where they will be staying during Birmingham 2022. As an athlete, we want to know that there are certain aspects of events that are guaranteed – accommodation is one of them. This early decision, during uncertain times, provides reassurance to athletes as they prepare to compete at their best in Birmingham.”
Craig Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, of Commonwealth Games Australia said: “While a single Games Village is the norm, we know these aren’t normal times and accept that, despite the best of efforts by the B2022 Organising Committee, this will not be possible for Birmingham.
“Commonwealth Games Australia thanks the B2022 Organising Committee for their openness in sharing the changes to the Games Village solution. We will remain flexible in our planning to ensure we achieve our two overriding objectives for the Games – that our athletes are able to achieve their best possible performances, and they have the best possible Games experience. This remains our focus.”
Tag: 2022 Commonwealth Games
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Birmingham 2022 will use multi-site Athlete Villages
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Three major titles unveiled for inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships
[Source: Commonwealth Sport] The Global Esports Federation and the Commonwealth Games Federation have today unveiled three major titles for the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships that will take place in Birmingham this summer.
DOTA 2 (Valve), eFootball™ series (KONAMI) and Rocket League (Psyonix) will be featured at the event at the International Convention Centre (ICC) this August 6-7, with all three titles featuring a Women Category and an Open Category.
Showcasing the excitement of the upcoming Commonwealth Esports Championships, students from across the UK played Rocket League during today’s CGF Executive Board Meeting in Birmingham. The demonstration was attended by President of the CGF, Dame Louise Martin DBE and CGF Chief Executive Officer, Katie Sadleir; the President of the GEF Chris Chan and Chair of GEF’s Coordination Commission for the CEC2022, Chester King.?
“We are proud to feature some of the world’s leading esports titles on stage in Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC) over the weekend of August 6-7. We look forward to creating the opportunity for players and athletes from across the Commonwealth to shine on a truly global stage at this historic inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships,” said Paul J. Foster, CEO of the GEF.
“Alongside the GEF, we are delighted to unveil three major titles for the Commonwealth Esports Championships in Birmingham this summer. There is no doubt this innovative and exciting event will create new learnings and opportunities for us to further explore esports. The Commonwealth has a combined population of more than 2.4 billion with over 60% of them under the age of 30. This is a vital group for the Commonwealth Sport Movement to engage with, and esports can be an important part of this work due to its huge popularity and reach with young people across the world,” expressed Katie Sadleir, CEO of the CGF.
Commonwealth Games Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Esports has connected millions of young people across the Commonwealth, providing entertainment and a vital sense of community.
“The Commonwealth Esports Championships is a major vote of confidence in the West Midlands’ and UK’s thriving esports industry and an exciting chance to look at how this can be brought into the Commonwealth Sport Movement.”
The Commonwealth Esports Championships will feature exciting demonstrations showcasing Active Esports and the powerful technologies that support the convergence of sport and esports. The Commonwealth Esports Forum – a global convention of diverse thought leaders and idea creators – will be held at the same venue on Friday, August 5, 2022.
The event today comes after first Team Preparation Guide (TPG) meeting for the event was staged last month. The meeting led by the GEF was joined by leaders from the GEF, CGF and British Esports Association. It was attended by representatives from over 60 Commonwealth nations and territories, including the GEF’s Member Federations who are set to compete in Birmingham. The organising team briefed the delegations on arrangements for participants and have since commenced team selections and preparations.
About the Global Esports Federation
The Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy, and prestige of esports. We convene athletes, players, the world’s publishers, developers, industry partners and sporting organizations on one inclusive platform. We encourage and support the connection between esports, sport and technology. Our mission calls for the development of visible initiatives that are in service to the world’s esports community. We are grateful for a collective of strategic partnerships that bring to life this mission. www.globalesports.org
About the Commonwealth Games Federation
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports Movement: to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport.
About the Business and Tourism Programme (BATP)
The Business and Tourism Programme (BATP) aims to leverage the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games to embed positive perceptions of the West Midlands into the international imagination, driving long-term economic benefits across the region, fostering civic pride. Focusing on tourism, trade and investment, the three-year programme will catalyse the West Midlands’ growth strategy, cementing the region, and wider UK, as a globally sought-after location to visit, invest and live in. Its work will focus on nations and territories across the Commonwealth. -
PTI Digital appointed by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
[Source: PTI Digital] PTI Digital are delighted to have been appointed by the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games– which kick off tomorrow in Birmingham and the West Midlands – as the Official Venue Technology Service Provider; using specific venue knowledge and expertise to support the deployment of key venue technology services more efficiently and effectively and providing further on-the-ground events expertise during Games-time.
PTI is assisting Birmingham 2022’s Venue Technology team and their Venue Network Integration supplier and bringing its consultancy expertise to guide and shape deployments at specific venues. The PTI team will be bringing expertise from a host of major events including the Ryder Cup, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Cricket World Cup, Formula 1 and the IAAF World Athletics Championships.
Adrian Corcoran, Chief Information Officer at Birmingham 2022 said, “The Commonwealth Games is one of the biggest multi-sport events in the global calendar, taking place in multiple venues across Birmingham, the West Midlands over 11 days of sport. That comes not only with significant operational challenges but also a high degree of expectation around the experience from our stakeholders that require a seamless performance across our technology estate. PTI have outstanding experience in this space, always thinking about the end user and how that impacts on the technology requirements, bringing us operational and spend efficiencies in the process. Particularly with the compressed planning timescales of these Games and limited access to venues due to the pandemic, PTI have gone the extra mile in bringing venue experience and knowledge to accelerate the planning and deployment to specific and iconic Games venues.”
Laurence Smith, Head of Venue Technology at Birmingham 2022 said: “It’s been as pleasure to work with PTI for these Games. Their sports and venue specific expertise, combined with major event delivery knowledge as well as their exceptional partnership approach, have proved a great asset to my team, and this will continue through Games-time. We are also pleased that PTI is contributing to our legacy and sustainability strategy by redeploying key Games infrastructure to enhance network capability at other sports venues, thereby providing a lasting benefit to sport in the UK.”
This appointment adds further momentum to PTI’s exciting start to 2022, with Birmingham 2022 joining Premiership Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, London Legacy Development Corporation and Hibernian FC as new clients this year and longer-term engagements with OakView Group & Co-op Live, the London Stadium, Wasps & Coventry Building Society Arena, the NEC Group and Edgbaston Stadium. PTI also announced earlier this year that it had extended its relationship with Bristol Sport & Ashton Gate Stadium for a further four years.
Mike Bohndiek, Chief Executive Officer at PTI says “The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is the largest event ever to be held in the West Midlands and one of the biggest events staged in the United Kingdom since Glasgow 2014 and London 2012 and the past decade has seen unparalleled growth in the technological demands of staging major events. We are really delighted to be able to bring our experience to ensure we help Birmingham 2022 set a new benchmark for major events.”
PTI launched its specialist IT Managed Services division in September 2021, believing that the importance of the core infrastructure in sports and entertainment venues has never been greater. The post-Covid world demands greater digital enablement and – whether in digital ticketing or click & collect food and beverage – the fan’s device is now their window to experience – but this can only be the case if the underlying technology stack can enable this.
PTI is a specialist digital transformation consultancy and its digital transformation pyramid – which unifies its three core pillars of Venue Technology, Data & Digital and Commercial Strategy – lays the foundation for the holistic digital transformation of sports and entertainment organisations and venues. It is this integrated, efficient approach which begins with strategic intent and is informed by insight and powered by the right technology infrastructure which creates significant commercial advantage over the long-term.