West Midlands User Forum

The Commonwealth Games – Getting Games ReadyIan LaneHead of Operational Project – West Midlands

19th October 2021

Commonwealth Games 20228 out of the 14 venues are within easy reach of a canal across region:

1. Alexander Stadium2. Coventry Stadium3. University Of Birmingham4. Sandwell Aquatic Centre 5. Victoria Park, Leamington Spa6. Arena Birmingham7. Smithfield8. Lee Valley Velo – London*9. West Park, Wolverhampton10. St Nicholas Park, Warwick11. Cannock Chase12. Sutton Park13. NEC 14. Edgbaston Stadium

Why?.....

• 5 Million visitors to year-long City of Culture Festival

• 1.5m Visitors expected to attend the games

• 1.5bn Global viewers expected

Ambition1. To support successful and memorable

Games 2. To secure lasting legacy to the region and its

communities3. To promote the region’s unique canal

heritage.

Specific Actions:

1. Green Flag Standard X 7 sites = 50km

2. Volunteer Base x 5 opps. = 1,000

3. Activity Programme

4. Active Travel

IGreen Flag - Physical Improvement

Leamington Spa area

Coventry

Rushall Canal - Walsall

Volunteering

• Volunteer growth – 1000+

• Local ownership

• Exciting bespoke volunteer offers

• Creation of a volunteer journey

• Regular activity

• Skills growth and training

• Maximum post-Games retention

Trust-led: Activities

• Increased Wellbeing & Brand Awareness – 75%+

• Regular sport & cultural activity

• Implementation of ‘Lets’ programme

• Co-creation & collaboration with partners

Programme of EventsThemed events across the year, including:

• Water sport weekend

• Sporting weekends – Mini Games

• Luminaire,

• Boat parades,

• Pop up museums,

• Food festival

• Fishing competition

Active Travel

• Active Travel Routes to and between venues

• Cycle hub locations

• Part of the wider travel offer

• Unique water travel offers

• Connected to other green & blue routes

Partnership – Sports England

Active Canals:

Aims to develop and deliver CRT’s ‘Let’s’ concept through community co-production, such as:

• Let’s move• Let’s walk• Let’s cycle• Let’s paddle• ..etc

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@canalrivertrust/canalrivertrust/canalrivertrust

Thank you