The Millennium Stadium has been voted a key business beacon for Wales at a debate held to discuss its status within the wider Welsh economy.
Two hundred invited guests at the Hugh James Exchange organised by the Cardiff law firm voted overwhelming in support of the proposal that it has achieved the business beacon status since it opened in 1999.
The “yes” vote was recorded by 94 per cent of the 200 strong audience at the Exchange which was addressed by the Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Roger Lewis.
He said: ”This year alone we attracted 61,000 people to the Oasis concert, 124,000 to two Take That concerts and 73,000 to the U2 concert. That was the biggest rock concert attendance ever in Wales.
“Speedway attracted 40,000 people, live on Sky and shown around the world, Monster Jam with almost 30,000 people was screened across the USA. The point I am emphasising here is the economic benefit of major non-rugby events the Stadium presents.
“Over 300 events have now been held at the Stadium since operations began, attracting over 10.6 million paying customers; or an average over one million paying customers per annum. It is by far the largest visitor attraction in Wales.”
Fellow Exchange panellist, Mike Hall, the former Wales international and current Director of PMG Developments, said: ”After the M4 or the barrage I struggle to think of another project that has generated so much value for Cardiff.”
In leading the debate on this highly topical subject keynote speaker Roger Lewis, Group Chief Executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, warned that Wales has traditionally suffered from a lack of confidence in supporting its rich sporting culture; while the Stadium could indeed be classed as a business beacon for Wales, financial support will be essential if we are to maintain the pedigree of events for years to come and safeguard the stadium’s future:
“The Millennium Stadium is a business beacon for Wales. It has and continues to burn brightly. The Welsh Rugby Union has stoked its fire for ten years and will continue to do so. Many have benefited from its glow and warmth. But for the WRU better a little fire to warm us than a great one to burn us“
Mr Lewis was joined by a panel of three key figures at the heart of generating major sporting events and stadia in Wales along with Bill Savage of Cardiff and Co who has the task of marketing Wales to the world. The panel was asked to consider key issues surrounding public investment into the Millennium Stadium and other sports stadia across Wales, asking: what has been the economic impact of public investment? Has the funding for sport been fairly distributed across Wales, and what impact will the London 2012 Olympics have on the Welsh economy?*.
Roger Lewis argued that despite the fact the Stadium would host 4 football matches during the Olympics, London would be the overwhelming beneficiary of the games, with other areas of the UK gaining very little from the event economically because of the considerable drain on public finances. Bill Savage on the other hand felt Wales could afford to be a little more patient with the outcome of a number of Olympic tenders yet to be decided. 62% of the audience believed the Olympics would make ‘little difference’ to the Welsh economy with 12% believing the games in London would actually have a ‘negative effect’.
The panelists were also asked to consider whether public investment in sport was allocated adequately and fairly across Wales. Mike Hall was particularly forthright with his view that as a country we lag behind our European neighbours and sporting superpowers such as Australia in ensuring all areas of the country have first rate sporting facilities. Paul Russell agreed, citing the increase in childhood obesity and antisocial behaviour as key indicators of inadequate investment. Rob Holt however was able to give an insight into the golfing scene in Wales highlighting the Welsh Assembly Government’s recent £2 million initiative to encourage children to take up the sport. The audience however was almost united in their opinion though with 69% of people believing public investment in sport in Wales was not sufficient.
