ICG delegation visits venues in Lanarkshire

Sep 16 2009 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

A MONKLANDS school was put under the microscope recently in preparation for a major sporting event in two years’ time.

St Andrew’s High, in Coatbridge, was visited by a delegation representing the International Children’s Games committee.

President Torsten Rasch and Richard Smith inspected the school, which will be used for athletes’ accommodation during the event that will take place in Lanarkshire.

Other venues visited by the pair included Strathclyde Park, the new Ravenscraig regional sports centre and Motherwell FC’s Fir Park.

Mr Rasch was left impressed at how preparations for the games are coming along and said: “We have seen some fantastic venues across Lanarkshire.

“And we are very confident that Lanarkshire’s staging of the games is in safe hands.

“Progress is excellent and I am sure, from what I have seen so far, that the 2011 International Children’s Games will be outstanding.”

Jim Smith, depute leader of North Lanarkshire Council and co-chair of the 2011 organising committee, reckons the county can deliver a Games everyone will be proud of.

He said: “We were delighted to welcome Torsten and Richard to see for themselves the excellent facilities we have here.

“From the £32 million Ravenscraig regional sports facility to the state-of-the-art accommodation at St Andrew’s High in Coatbridge, we are confident our venues across Lanarkshire are truly exceptional.”

North and South Lanarkshire joined forces to bid for the Games, which will be held in August 2011 and see 1500 children from all over the world competing in a number of different sports.

Young athletes from Monklands were part of Team Lanarkshire at this year’s event in Athens, Greece.

The boys’ football squad returned home with a silver medal while Airdrie swimmer Callum Baxter earned a bronze in the pool.