The organizers of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have announced that athletes and team officials will be housed in three ‘campus’ villages at The University of Birmingham, The University of Warwick, and The NEC Hotel Campus.
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. 1,600 athletes and officials are set to be 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.
Support of this decision has been shown from a range of athlete representatives and Commonwealth Games Associations across the world who have been told of the new plans.
Dame Louise Martin, President of the CGF said, “After detailed consultation and planning across the Birmingham 2022 Delivery Partnership, there was unanimous agreement and support for this new village option that will see athletes housed in accommodation with world-class facilities in three campus villages across the West Midlands.
Athletes and team officials can expect excellent accommodation, convenient locations, transport and all other Games services they would typically find in a single location.
We believe this is a positive solution that will be supported by our 71 nations and territories while plans for similar multiple campus village models are becoming a viable option for future Commonwealth Games to ensure greater affordability and access to the future hosting ambitions of cities.
“We remain confident that Birmingham 2022 will be delivered on time and on budget - offering a world class Games experience for athletes, fans and all the businesses and communities that look to benefit from this extraordinary event.”
Alistair Brownlee, Commonwealth Games England’s nominee and vice chair of the Birmingham 2022 Athlete Advisory Committee added, “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.”
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