PROJECTS » commonwealth games (LEGACY PROJECTS)
LEGACY PROJECTS: THE XX COMMONWEALTH GAMES
On this day in 2014, the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games was held at Celtic Park in Glasgow. For 11 action-packed days, Glasgow welcomed both traditional royalty and sporting royalty as 71 nations and territories showcased their talents across 17 sports. This retrospective revisits our work at The Games, celebrating one of the most memorable projects in our thirty-plus years of business.
With just 22 days to complete the design, creation, and installation of numerous displays throughout the Athlete’s Village, our team rose to the challenge and delivered two days ahead of schedule.
Our involvement at the 2014 Commonwealth Games began with an enquiry from the planning committee who reached out to us due to our proximity to Glasgow. A visit to our HQ in Falkirk shortly followed to assess our ability to manage the project’s scope. Impressed with what they had seen, the organisers left confident that we could deliver the high-quality and timely results required for such a prestigious event.
Benholm Group Director, Adrian Byne, believes the enquiry came at the perfect time: “We had only recently moved to our new premises at Melonsplace, and I imagine the organisers would have been less impressed with our previous facilities in Grangemouth. Securing such a high profile client really validated our decision to take the leap to a bigger space.”
Based on the planting styles used at the London Olympics we were asked for a large number of displays to enhance the Commonwealth Games Athletes Village including barrier planters to create a neat hedging effect, large feature trees, internal marquee decoration as well as a selection of branded planters for each competition venue.
Our scope of work included:
Barrier Planters: We created barrier planters to form neat hedging effects, enhancing both security and aesthetics. These planters featured bespoke floors that allowed for quick and efficient planting of Buxus hedging plants on site.
Feature Trees: We installed 30 Pyrus Chanticleer trees, each 4 meters high, delivered directly from our Dutch suppliers. These trees were planted in 900mm diameter bespoke containers finished in silver to match the barriers, creating stunning focal points throughout the Village.
Internal Marquee Decoration: To add a touch of luxury inside the various marquees, we installed a selection of interior tropical plants in modern tall tapered containers. We also supplied table-top bowls with exotic colour plants for marquee entrance areas, providing a warm and welcoming environment for athletes and visitors alike.
Branded Planters: Each competition venue was adorned with Buxus Ball topiary planters, branded with the Games’ logo on each container, ensuring a cohesive and polished look across all sites.
Finishing touches: Additional Laurus Nobilis bushes were dropped into some of the large road-block sand-filled cages to provide a more attractive backdrop.
The security at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games was incredibly strict. When arriving at the site, our vans were checked by sniffer dogs at the entrance, and after inspection, a separate lock was applied to ensure that nothing could be added or removed between the security checkpoint and the unloading area.
Adrian was particularly proud of the sustainable approach taken during project: “Although the planting was hired for just a one-month period, everything was repurposed and given a new home. In fact, the large Pyrus Chanticleer trees which were used at the Athlete’s Village still stand proudly at a local school just a few miles from our head office.”
In the 10 years since, Glasgow has continued to cement its reputation as a hub for international events, playing host to a variety of high-profile, global gatherings, most notably the 2021 COP26 summit which Benholm Group were proud to play a part in.
Adrian believes our experience at the Commonwealth Games has played a significant role in securing such opportunities: “The Glasgow Commonwealth Games project was a pivotal moment in our company’s growth. It significantly boosted our reputation, demonstrating our capacity to handle large, complex jobs under tight deadlines and stringent security measures. When providing quotes for new work, we often refer back to this project and the glowing testimonials we received. This experience and the recognition it brought played a crucial role in us being chosen for other high-profile events, such as COP26. It showcased our team’s professionalism, can-do attitude, and ability to deliver exceptional quality under pressure.”
Having been selected as a host city the upcoming UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, Glasgow’s status as a premier sporting destination is set to endure for years to come. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and stand ready to contribute to the success of upcoming events with our award-winning plant displays.
Contact Us
From airports to arenas and everything in between, we’re passionate about the benefits plants can bring to commercial spaces. For more information or to discuss requirements for your next project, please contact us on 01324 861300 or mail@benholm.com.
