Revamped Alexander Stadium key part of Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games bid
These new images show how Birmingham's Alexander Stadium could look if the city's Commonwealth Games bid is successful.
The revamped stadium is a key part of the 2022 bid, according to bosses.
If Birmingham is chosen as the host city chiefs said it 'will strengthen its reputation as the City of Running through improving competition and training facilities at the stadium and increasing permanent seating capacity'.
Ian Ward, Birmingham City Council's deputy leader and chair of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games Steering Group, said: “Hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games will accelerate Birmingham’s existing development plans for homes, jobs, services and infrastructure.
"Sitting at the heart of the UK and standing for the diversity of the Commonwealth, with our population made up over 187 different nationalities and with 314,000 West Midlands residents born in a Commonwealth country, we are in a strong position to attract people to the games and ensure the benefits of hosting extend from the city and region, to the UK and Commonwealth."
Bosses said by rejuvenating the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham 2022 would allow a return to the Commonwealth Games tradition of the athletics stadium hosting the opening and closing ceremonies.
The refurbished stadium will also 'provide a legacy to a core Commonwealth Games sport, benefitting future generations of athletes, which cannot be achieved when athletics takes place on a temporary track in a football stadium'.
A new permanent seating arrangement of up to 25,000 seats will be increased to 40,000 during a Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with the option of expanding if necessary.
Athletics clubs including Birchfield Harriers, as well as local schools and the community, would also benefit from the multi-use spaces, including a 400-metre warm-up track, that will also be developed to ensure the Alexander Stadium has the technical capacity of an international venue.
