Construction industry welcomes the Olympic Games challenge

The staging of the Olympic Games in London in 2012 and its associated £10 billion programme for sports stadia, accommodation and infrastructure has been welcomed by the construction industry. The construction bill alone is expected to be £2.5 billion. Work has already started on two key venues — the £70 million Aquatics Centre and the £30 million Velopark. A director of property and construction company Mace, Gary France, was in Singapore when the announcement was made. He said, ‘The atmosphere here in Singapore is tremendous — seeing so many people from the UK committed to London’s bid has shown just how important this event is.’ Back at home, the deputy chairman of the Construction Industry Council Nick Raynsford, MP, said, ‘All or us involved with Britain’s construction industry recognise the huge challenge which we now face to deliver the best-ever Olympic Games in London in 2012. At the CIC, we are confident that the industry will rise to the challenge, and we will be working closely with all our partners to ensure the success of London 2012.’ Graham Watts, chief executive of CIC, speaking of the industry’s ability to deliver, said, ‘The key will be a swift transition from the bid team to the organising authority so that the momentum is not lost, and we need to make full use of the seven years available to London to get the infrastructure and facilities in place. The construction industry must have a single strategic focus on planning and delivery, and we look to the Strategic Forum for Construction to take that lead.’ The chief executive of the Association for Consultancy and Engineering Nelson Ogunshakin got a flavour of public reaction in London’s Trafalgar Square. He said, ‘Winning the Olympics is a massive boost for consultancy and engineering, not just in the capital but throughout the UK. Our industry must now rise to the challenge of delivering the infrastructure and facilities needed to make the Olympics the best the world has ever seen.’ Michael Brown, deputy chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Building is also enthusiastic about the opportunities. ‘The UK construction industry has the perfect opportunity to showcase all its quality and produce an inspirational platform for those athletes and spectators taking part in the 2012 London Olympics to make it not only the best games the world has seen but also leaving behind a legacy that will improve the lives of not just those in London but of many people up and down the country.’