Calling for a gold-medal performance from the construction industry

What a magnificent achievement by Lord Sebastian Coe and his team in bringing the Olympic Games to London in 2012. Not only does his success provide the opportunity for London and Britain to shine as hosts and British athletes to give sterling performances, but it also demands that the construction industry responds to the commercial opportunities presented to it and performs to deliver the buildings and infrastructure that are necessary to present the Olympic Games in the twenty-first century. The task is enormous — with a £10 billion programme for sports stadia, accommodation and infrastructure. The construction bill alone is expected to amount to £2.5 billion. The deadline for the Olympic Games is just that. There is no scope for projects to be delivered late, as over half of those analysed to compile the latest set of Key Performance Indicators by contractors were. And projects will have to be delivered under the constant scrutiny of the national and international Press — which, on past experience, will be eager to highlight mercilessly what it perceives to be any shortcomings. The pressure to perform and complete the course must act as a focus for the entire construction industry to work together. There are seven years to prepare, and Graham Watts, chief executive of the Construction Industry Council is keen that not a moment is wasted in getting the infrastructure and facilities in place. The enthusiasm of the campaign team and their belief has brought the Olympic Games to London. It is equally essential that the construction industry wholeheartedly adopts that enthusiasm and belief. The high-profile construction programme for the games will also add impetus to attracting new entrants to all sectors of the industry and training and qualifying the workforce. Here is a perfect opportunity to promote all sectors of the industry so as to attract and recruit new people. There can be no doubt that the next seven years will be an exciting period for the construction industry. When the Olympic Games open in London in seven years’ time, the construction industry will have that feel-good factor of having made it all possible.