£21m legacy developments planned for the Alexander Stadium

Plans to create a ‘lasting, positive, legacy’ for the renovated Alexander Stadium and surrounding parkland is set to be discussed by the council’s Cabinet next week.

Following the Commonwealth Games, the council aims to complete £21m of legacy developments which align with the wider Perry Barr 2040 masterplan which was approved earlier this year.

An essential part of the developments involves creating access to high-quality facilities for sport and recreation such as:

  • Extended and enhanced gym and leisure facilities within the Stadium complex
  • A new visitor centre and café located in Perry Park
  • New physical activity installations/external play facilities for all ages in the Park
  • Delivery of new pathways and cycle routes around the Park

In a report to Cabinet members, the Alexander Stadium and Perry Park are described as being at the ‘heart of the area’s regeneration’.

The area is currently seeing more than £750m being invested in new homes, improved highways and public transport links as well as the delivery of community facilities and infrastructure.

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium was always about much more than the eleven days of Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games sport, which were so glorious and memorable.

“Through these proposals, we have an investment programme that will ensure the venue and its surrounds have a broad range of uses for everyone from the people of Perry Barr to students to elite sports performers.

“The old Alexander Stadium struggled to have a meaningful year-round purpose – but our legacy from this redevelopment is to address that shortcoming and for Birmingham to be home to the premier athletics facility in the UK.”

The council is also working alongside Birmingham City University to ensure there is a variety of elite and community sports offered at the stadium.

Work to remove the temporary overlay and structures that were put in place for the Commonwealth Games is ongoing. Some activity, such as gymnastics classes at the Gymnastics and Martial Arts Centre, has already resumed at the wider Stadium site, which is also home to Birchfield Harriers athletics club.

If approved, the programme of works will be carried out in phases, that will be completed between early 2023 and spring 2024.

It will be discussed before the city council’s Cabinet on the 11th October.

Close