Sutton Park is one of the largest urban parklands in Europe covering 2,400 acres and located 6 miles from Birmingham city centre. It has been designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The park is home to the second largest lowland heathlands in the West Midlands. Furthermore, it encompasses a rich variety of flora and fauna including, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands and marshes.
Sutton Park will host the Triathlon and Para-Triathlon events from July 29th to 31st. The course for the individual events is set for Birmingham 2022, with the 5km running leg which takes place entirely in the park and the 20km cycling section which passes through the Boldmere gate and heads towards the streets of Boldmere. Additionally, athletes will compete in the 750m open water swim at the Powell Pool. The venue will also expect approximately 2,000 ticketed spectators and 20,000 non-ticketed spectators.
As Official Overlay Supporter of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, GL events UK will be delivering grandstand seating, temporary structures, fencing, containment, tribunes, rigging, carpets, exhibition walling, cabin showers and toilets, office cabins, site lighting, trackway, portable toilets, scaffolding, a scaffold deck for transition area and a swim-exit ramp.
As part of Birmingham 2022’s commitment to legacy, Birmingham City Council has submitted plans to develop the area at Boldmere Gate, Sutton Park.
To meet the requirements of Birmingham 2022, the site will need to meet international triathlon standards and provide adequate space for installation of areas for athletes and media. As a result, the existing parking area will be upgraded to provide an enhanced appropriate parking area. This is not only for the athletes and media zones, but also for the benefit of visitors beyond the Games.
In addition, two electrical hook-up points will be installed to power electrics during the Games and future outdoor events.
The new additional parking spaces at Boldmere Gate will provide an opportunity to close existing parking spaces within the park, which will help reduce traffic flow and achieve conservation benefits. In addition, improvements to electricity delivery will also allow the park to host large-scale events at Boldmere Gate without the need for temporary generators.
