The medals have been handed out, the athletes have gone home, but what’s left behind are world class sporting facilities that will provide the enduring legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. For students, that means the chance to play and train in the very places where gold medals were won and dreams came true. We’ve rounded up the best deals for students at some of the city’s finest sporting venues…
The Emirates Arena
When the Glasgow Rocks basketball team aren’t strutting their stuff on court, the Emirates Arena sports hall becomes a badminton venue open to the public. Students and under-18s can get a Glasgow Club pay-as-you-go membership, with an up-front fee of £4.90 that saves you about 30% on a variety of activities including use of the badminton courts and gym – an investment well worth making if you plan on becoming a regular and it applies at every Glasgow Club facility in the city.
Phone: 0141 287 7000
Email: emiratesarena@glasgowlife.org.uk
Web: www.emiratesarena.co.uk
The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
Situated inside the Emirates Arena, the velodrome is the home of Scottish indoor cycling and the only track of its kind in the country. Australia dominated the medals here at the games, but to help us stand a better chance in future events, students and under-18s get discounted rates. For £7.30, you get an hour-long introduction to track cycling where you will be provided with all the equipment you need (including a bike) and a qualified coach to get you on your way to gaining the accreditation required to take part in open sessions, structured training, and, hopefully, become the next Sir Chris Hoy.
Phone: 0141 287 3659
Email: cycling@glasgowlife.org.uk
Web: www.emiratesarena.co.uk/cycling
Tollcross International Swimming Centre
Were you one of the millions cheering Ross Murdoch on to gold during the Games? Then you’ll have seen the top quality facilities available at Tollcross. A second 50m pool means that even when Scotland’s top swimmers are in training, disruption is kept to a minimum and the public allowed access. Under-18s get free entry with a Young Scot Card and students with a Glasgow Club pay-as-you-go membership are priced at just £2.10 a session.
Phone: 0141 276 8200
Email: info@glasgowlife.org.uk
Web: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/tollcross
Scotstoun Stadium
Home to the Glasgow Warriors rugby union team, Scotstoun also held the squash and table tennis events during the Commonwealth Games – and the facilities don’t stop there. One of the biggest venues of its type in the city, it has a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, football pitches and much more. As usual, student and under-18 Glasgow Club members can expect to save around 30% compared to non-members every time they use the facilities and get access to the brand-new purpose-built squash courts for just £6.70 a session.
Phone: 0141 276 1620
Email: info@glasgowlife.org.uk
Web: www.glasgowlife.org.uk
If the sport that piqued your interest during the Commonwealth Games hasn’t been mentioned, don’t worry – there are clubs and facilities scattered across Glasgow and beyond where you can get stuck in. There’s never been a better time to get involved and every club loves to welcome new members. If you need any more encouragement, just remember – the 2018 Commonwealth Games takes place in Australia and you could be there…!