ONE of Glasgow's main venues for the Commonwealth Games will open to the public in October – on time and on budget.

And today it was announced a major programme of world, international and Scottish events will be staged at the £113million complex within days of it opening.

The linked Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, which will be one of the biggest indoor sports facilities of its type in Europe, is sited across from Celtic Park and close to the Athletes' Village.

It will host the Northern European Gymnastics Championships, from October 19-21.

The following month it will be the venue for the Scottish Open International Badminton Championships and the World Premier Netball Club Challenge.

In December gymnasts will travel to the city for the Glasgow World Cup and next January it will be the turn of the Glasgow Aviva International Athletics Match and the Revolution World Series Track Cycling.

Scottish Sports Minister Shona Robison visited the Velodrome to see how work is progressing.

She was joined by David Grevemberg, chief executive of Glasgow 2014, Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, and Archie Graham, city council Commonwealth Games spokesman.

Mr Graham said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the world's top sports stars and athletes to the arena, but it is important to note that this is, first and foremost, a fantastic community sports facility for the people of Glasgow."

The Arena, which will host the badminton competition during the Games, will have 5000 seats for spectators during sporting competitions, while the Velodrome will have a permanent capacity for 2000 sitting and 500 standing.

The seating capacity for spectators watching events on the 250 metre cycle track will be increased to 4000 seats at Games time and for track cycling events.

The arena will also be home to Scotland's only professional basketball team, the Glasgow Rocks, who play in the UK national superleague, and Scotland's leading netball side, the Glasgow Wildcats.

It will also be a national training centre for athletics, basketball, netball, track cycling and volleyball.

The arena will include one of the largest Glasgow Club gyms in the city, with three sports halls with 12 games courts, four outdoor floodlit five-a-side courts, a health and fitness centre, an indoor roller sports park and provision for cycling, all available for use by the community from October.

Shona Robison said: "With less than 900 days to go until the opening of the 2014 Games, this latest landmark shows the organising committee is continuing to oversee the successful delivery of the Games, which remain on time, on budget and on track to be a fantastic event."

David Grevemberg said: "You cannot help but get excited about the electric atmosphere that will be created at this world-class sporting arena."

Michael Cavanagh said: "With a supportive home crowd, this venue will inspire our athletes to rise to the occasion and achieve great things come 2014."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk