Glasgow is focused on securing a lasting legacy from the best Commonwealth Games ever.

8th August 2014

As the Games drew to a close yesterday, they were hailed as the greatest ever staged by Commonwealth officials, athletes and spectators.

But, although the last 11 days will live long in the memory; for Glasgow, the Games story doesn't end at the closing ceremony.

The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have already secured a lasting, and tangible, legacy for future generations - having been the catalyst for the regeneration of the East End.

And communities across the city will now work to ensure that legacy is not only sustained, for the benefit of all Glaswegians, but continues to grow.

More than five years ago, Glasgow City Council set out a series of legacy ambitions for the city's people, business and communities.

Since then, the city has seen:

· 5,000 new jobs or apprenticeships through the council's £50 million Glasgow Guarantee;

· Games related contracts worth £200 million awarded to Glasgow-based firms;

· 700 new family homes built in Dalmarnock;

· £700 million of investment in transport infrastructure;

· £198 million of investment in new or improved sports facilities,

· 14,800 attendances at sports coaching courses.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "Glasgow has hosted a remarkable, inspirational Games - but, to be a true success, they have to leave a lasting legacy for Glaswegians.

"I'm very proud that, the morning after the closing ceremony, we can already see that legacy in action.

"There has been a huge surge in Glaswegians taking part in sport and we're fortunate to have some outstanding clubs, offering a wide range of sports and activities for all ages and abilities.

"To further build on this success, we have invested £198 million in sports facilities across the city including some of those currently serving as Games venues. That investment has seen attendances across all of Glasgow Life's sports facilities hit 6.6 million.

"We have brought thousands of young or unemployed people into a job or an apprenticeship; nearly doubled the number of qualified sport coaches in the city, and we've used the Games to secure £200 million of work for Glasgow companies.

"We've also undertaken a massive regeneration of the east end with new award-winning housing for 700 families, refurbished train stations, new cycle and walking networks, and more than £700 million spent on transport infrastructure."

Bridgeton train station has been upgraded and the Olympia Building redeveloped to host a public library, learning centre, cafe and the national governing body for boxing.

Dalmarnock has been transformed with the world-class Emirates Arena on its doorstep, the new £3.7million Dalmarnock Community Hub underway and an upgraded £9million rail station.

The multi-award winning housing in the new Dalmarnock neighbourhood, which served as the Athletes' Village, is one of the best-selling regeneration projects nationally - and also includes a new 120 bed care home for the elderly and 400 homes to be let by three local housing associations.

More than £10 million has been invested in creating and upgrading 13.6km of walking and cycle network, with a focus on linking venues to the city centre. These include cycle route enhancements on the Riverside Walkway between the Heliport and the Riverside Museum; the completion of the Anderston Footbridge providing a segregated cycle route from the city to Kelvingrove Park and beyond; and new routes from the city centre up to Hampden and Cathkin Braes Country Park.

The new infrastructure is having a significant impact, with the city seeing a 130% increase in cycling in the last five years. This will be aided by the new £600,000 city-wide Mass Cycle Hire scheme which has 400 bikes installed at 31 city-centre locations and transport hubs.

A key lesson learned from previous Games is that the community-sports sector needs to be prepared to capitalise on the increased interest and awareness in sport generated by the Games.

Glasgow Life legacy programmes have provided support to local voluntary clubs to improve quality, grow membership, recruit volunteers and train coaches to a high standard.

Clubs have recognised the benefits of working in partnership and since 2009 the number of clubs working with Glasgow Life has almost doubled from 327 in 2009/10 to 636.

This growth has resulted in a corresponding increase in the number of volunteers and coaches. Participants have completed 14,783 coaching courses, meaning more club members are receiving improved coaching, positively impacting on their performance.

Cllr Matheson said: "On top of all of this, the council has supported and developed a varied range of projects led by communities that contribute to our legacy objectives.

"More than 300 of these projects have signed up to be part of our legacy framework, sharing £12.7 million in funding from the council's Integrated Grants Fund last year.

"It is vital that we continue to deliver that framework over the next five years - and I am absolutely determined that we will."