Has regeneration in Glasgow following the Games overcome initial hearsay?

According to Glasgow City Labour Councillor Yvonne Kucuk, while the people in her East End ward of Calton did have the most to put up with prior to and during the 2014Commonwealth Games, people now view the event as a positive.

Speaking to Holyrood, Kucuk said: “It is true that the community of Dalmarnock suffered unprecedented disruption to make way for the Games - most felt powerless in regards to what was proposed in the way of regeneration and I think a lot of that could have been handled better, communication wise. I was a community development worker in 2007 and was in Dalmarnock Centre when it was announced that Glasgow had won its bid to host the Games.

After the initial excitement, things went quiet for well over a year before construction began in earnest. There was lots of hearsay about the community and what would be done and again, this could have been prevented if the communication strategy was better planned.  

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“Ultimately, Glasgow delivered the most successful Commonwealth Games ever and almost all residents are now of the opinion that the Games were worthwhile considering the amount of jobs secured and the improved housing, public realm, new train station and facilities such as the Emirates Arena and the new community Legacy Hub in Dalmarnock.”

Kucuk said during their consultation in 2009, the people of Dalmarnock came up with five things they considered legacy. These, called the People’s Wishes, were:

   - A new community facility to replace the old Dalmarnock Centre which was demolished to make way for the transport hub: the new Legacy Hub opens in a few weeks’ time.
   - Jobs: several local people gained employment directly linked to the Games including jobs in the Emirates Arena, Tollcross Swimming Centre, Scotstoun Sports Centre and the Health Living Centre.
   - Volunteer opportunities: local people had the chance to act as Clyde-siders and Host City Volunteers as well as other opportunities which arose through the Games, as well as volunteer opportunities which would come with the Legacy Hub.
   - Training opportunities: most people locally were aware that they would need training to enable them to access jobs that might come up as part of the construction of the arenas and the village as well as post-Games in the Legacy Hub. Kucuk said there have been great success especially with young people who gained jobs locally and “we increased the number who have gone onto further education and degree level”.
   - New homes: local people were especially excited about the new housing the Village would provide.

Kucuk said: “It’s been great to see so many families move in over the past few months especially local people who have waited so long for a new house. We have also seen an increase in the number of residents from surrounding areas who also took up the opportunity to buy a new home too.”

The Athletes’ Village, which was home to around 7,000 athletes and officials during the Games, now consists of 300 private homes, 400 homes for social rent and there is also a 120-bed care home for the elderly on the 38.5 hectare site. By the end of this summer, all the new residents will have moved into their new homes.

Overall, does Kucuk believe the legacy of the Games has delivered for her area?

She said: “Yes, I do believe the Games was a major catalyst for change in the area, not only in the physical appearance but a change in the mindset of people, especially our young people who saw it as a once in a lifetime opportunity for them to gain opportunities that might not have presented themselves had it not been for the Games.  

“For the first time in generations, we have seen local young people gain full-time. permanent employment, their first driving licences and their first passports and holidays abroad. one or two have even bought their first home in the Village.”