Tayside is set for a major tourist and construction windfall from hosting part of the Commonwealth Games, MSPs will hear today.
Sports fans from across the globe will descend on Angus to witness the shooting events of Glasgow 2014, which are to be held at Barry Buddon, near Carnoustie.
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey will today outline the potential economic benefits to the area during a debate on the impact of the games.
The Courier has learned contracts worth £4 million will be required on the Ministry of Defence site ahead of the event, with hotels and catering firms expected to pick up work.
Dundee will also benefit with a satellite athletes’ village set up in the city to accommodate around 500 people.
Local companies are also being invited to tender for construction contracts, with several already understood to have noted their interest. Those contracts are expected to be valued at around £2 million, with further related work worth a similar amount on site in 2014.
Mr Dey said: ”Back in 1986, when Scotland last hosted the Commonwealth Games, Barry Buddon was the location for the full-bore target rifle competition, but other disciplines were staged just outside Edinburgh.
”This time around, Angus gets to host the whole show which is terrific both in terms of potential economic spin-off and profile.
”Obviously there will be construction-related and other types of contracts to be bid for, which local companies hopefully will succeed in winning, in so doing protecting and perhaps enhancing employment in the county.”
Mr Dey also said there were ”clear opportunities” for the hospitality sector.
He said: ”It’s an exciting opportunity all round for Angus and the Carnoustie area which has a proven track record when it comes to successfully hosting major events, with the men’s and women’s Open golf championships having been staged on the nearby links and I hope everyone comes together to seize it.
”I feel it is particularly important that we take advantage of the influx of visitors to show the world what our area has to offer.”
Commonwealth Games Minister Shona Robison said she is ”determined” the whole country will benefit from the games.
”The shooting events at Barry Buddon will be a great occasion, bringing significant economic opportunities for the area,” she said.
”500 athletes and support staff and a potential 3,350 spectators each day could attend the shooting across the five days of competition, bringing benefits to local businesses during games time.
”Works contracts for Barry Buddon will be open to everyone registered on the business portal, including local companies, who have already been encouraged to register, meaning they have the potential to share in contracts worth an estimated £4 million.
”In addition to this, as we get closer to the games there will also be opportunities for local service providers, including hotels, catering agencies, cleaning, waste disposal and security firms to tender for their share of business.”
Mr Dey has written to Angus Council, Historic Scotland and the National Trust, urging them to work together.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said: ”We are looking forward to Angus being part of this exciting sporting event in 2014.”