Plans in for £70m Commonwealth Games stadium bid

A formal application for the £70m redevelopment of Alexander Stadium in preparation for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham has been submitted to the city council.The proposals would see the venue become a high-quality venue for diverse sporting, leisure, community and cultural events in the decades to come, the authority has said.The stadium, at Walsall Road, Perry Barr, will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics events.The redeveloped stadium would increase its permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000 allowing more than 30,000 during the games through additional temporary seating.After the games, the revamped stadium is set to host a range of tenants including the Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club and Birmingham City University.The council has said its planning committee will make a final decision on the application early next year.Subject to planning approval, construction of the new stand will start in spring 2020, with completion in late 2021 ahead of test events for the games.