The organising committee for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham has detailed plans to use the city’s Smithfield site to construct 3×3 basketball and beach volleyball venues during the event.
Smithfield previously served as the site of Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets and is located in the heart of the city centre. The announcement has been made today (Tuesday) to mark two years until the start of the Commonwealth Games.
Temporary courts for 3×3 basketball and beach volleyball have been set up at the site today. 3×3 basketball will make its Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022, while beach volleyball will be making its second appearance.
The insidethegames website reported that the 3×3 basketball and beach volleyball venues would seat 2,500 and 4,000 fans, respectively. The 3×3 basketball venue will also stage wheelchair basketball games.
Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid said: “Today marks exactly two years to go until the official opening ceremony for Birmingham 2022 and we’re on track with our plans to host a spectacular event which will not only put Birmingham and the West Midlands centre stage but will also be an integral part of the region’s recovery plan following the global pandemic, bringing jobs for local people and contracts for local businesses.
“Smithfield is a fantastic location for these two sports, allowing us to bring together thousands of local people and spectators from further afield and enabling us to create a key hub for the Games in the heart of the city centre. It’s currently a blank canvas which will allow us to transform this location into a vibrant venue for two exciting sports that will no doubt bring a festival atmosphere to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games are scheduled to run from July 28 to August 8, 2022. Other venues that will be used during the Games include the revamped Alexander Stadium, Resorts World Arena, Arena Birmingham and the Edgbaston cricket ground.
Image: Birmingham 2022 Twitter
Share this