The Government has announced it will invest around £60m of underspend from the Commonwealth Games in the West Midlands.
The Commonwealth Games was backed by £778m of public funding, providing the West Midlands with a refurbished athletics stadium in Perry Barr and a brand-new aquatics centre in Smethwick.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) yesterday said they will work with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Birmingham City Council to use the remaining £60m to help more people engage with sport and culture in the region.
A Government press release stated: ‘This investment builds on existing legacy programmes already being rolled out. In partnership with DCMS, Sport England will continue to boost access to sport through a Birmingham 2022 kit giveaway. 16,000 items from basketballs to bibs will be gifted to West Midlands community groups in the coming months.’
The funding will also be allocated to boost inward business investment and tourism and help drive further economic growth in the West Midlands.