5 years ago
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) Precinct is located approximately 1.7 miles west of Glasgow city centre, on the north bank of the River Clyde.
The SECC Precinct will form the largest venue precinct of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. It will host the competitions for six sports – Gymnastics, Boxing, Judo, Netball, Wrestling and Weightlifting/Powerlifting. During Games Time it will also be the home of the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre.
Opened in 1985, the SECC is one of Scotland’s most visited venues. The precinct, which already boasts the large-scale SECC Exhibition Halls and the famous Clyde Auditorium (known as the ‘Armadillo’ due to its overlapping, shell-like structure), now also sees the addition of the SSE Hydro.
Opened in late 2013, The SSE Hydro has been designed by internationally-renowned architect Sir Norman Foster. Its amphitheatre-style arena is perfect for the sports programme.
As well as attracting crowds at Games Time, the development of the SECC Precinct is a key part of Glasgow’s plans for the regeneration of the Clyde riverside.
Fast facts
- The SECC is built on the site of the old Queen’s Dock. The decline in shipping traffic in Glasgow Harbour had made the dock redundant and so in 1977 it was filled in with rubble from the demolition of St Enoch station.
- In 1985, UB40 became the first band to play at the SECC. Since then the venue has welcomed some of the music world’s biggest names, from Pavarotti to The Who.
- The SSE Hydro has been modelled on Greek and Roman amphitheatres and stands 45 metres tall.
