How Geelong can create a Commonwealth Games legacy

Geelong’s Commonwealth Games legacy needs to be affordable and accessible for all, experts have warned.

Two decades ago, Sydney found itself jostling for the international spotlight as it prepared to host the world’s biggest sportsevent – the 2000 Olympic Games.

At the time, the city already had a strong reputation as a top tourism destination.

But good planning and the smart marketing efforts of the event – simply known as Sydney 2000 – cemented Australia’s reputationas a sporting mecca.

Western Sydney University Professor David Rowe said the event – dubbed the “best games ever” by journalists and sporting legends – elevated Sydney onto the global stage.

“Australia had a reputation as a sporting nation, but after Sydney that shifted to become a nation where major sports takeplace,” he said.

It’s estimated the games cost NSW $6bn to stage, with major investments made in the suburb now known as Olympic Park. TheSydney Aquatic Centre, Olympic Stadium, tennis, archery and hockey centres and Sydney Superdome are among 10 purpose-builtvenues still in use today.

Since the millennium Games, Australia has hosted Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast, the 2003 Rugby WorldCup, 2020 Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup and 2015 Cricket World Cup.

Prof Rowe said Sydney showed the world the Oceanic region could host global competitions – and do it well.

“Sydney offered a regional example of a world-event being held in Oceania,” he said.

Geelong is now preparing for its own turn in the sporting spotlight with the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

It is forecast the event will sell a million tickets across Victoria, and attract more than 150,000 visitors to the state.The Games will host up to 4500 athletes, bring $3bn to the Victorian economy and create thousands of jobs before, during andafter they wrap up.

Geelong will be front and centre among regional cities jostling for international attention. The city will host major events such as swimming and hockey, as well as the closing ceremony.

Geelong will have two major competition venues, in Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek, the development of an athletes’ villageand upgrades to Stead Park hockey facilities in Corio.

Some 2000-3000 athletes will be housed in Geelong for the Games.

Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine said the Games chief executive Tracy Carter at GMHBA stadium. Picture: Mark Wilson

Prof Rowe said the region needed to ensure the infrastructure would benefit the most people in the long term.

“A legacy has to be beneficial for a wide range of people across the population,” he said.

“It’s easy to want to turn an athletes’ village into housing, but if it’s unaffordable, all you’re doing is gentrifying anarea.

“Yes, there is going to be a diversion of funds, but is it going to be spread across the whole population and is it goingto be enduring?”

After a $12bn investment for the 2012 Olympics, the East London athletes’ village was converted to almost 3000 homes as wellas restaurants, schools and stores.

But with some flats selling for upwards of $1m, Prof Rowe said it was largely white-collar workers who benefited.

After Melbourne’s 1956 Olympics, the athletes’ village in Heidelberg West was turned into social and affordable housing, andin the US, the Atlanta Olympics village became student accommodation.

Deputy Premier and Commonwealth Games Delivery Minister Jacinta Allan said 7500 jobs were expected to be created statewidefor the 2026 Games.

“Tens of thousands of people will travel to Geelong … to watch world-class athletes in action, boosting the local economyas visitors enjoy the best of regional Victoria,” she said.

“We’re investing in world-class facilities that will boost local sport for generations to come and deliver high-quality and affordable social housing.” Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine chief executive Tracy Carter said the Games presented an opportunity to shift Geelong’s brand on the world stage.

“Obviously the Games period will be a busy time for tourism with a lot of spectators, athletes and other officials visiting,” she said.

“But there’s also a massive legacy branding opportunity that comes from having Geelong broadcast in front of so many thousandsof people.

Originally published as How Geelong can create a Commonwealth Games legacy