New multi-million pound venue on River Clyde to be named Scottish Hydro Arena

Jun 13 2011 By Ben Spencer

Scottish Hydro Arena

An artist's impression of the new venue, right, alongside the Clyde Auditorium.

A GIANT 12,000-seater sports and music venue in Glasgow has been named The Scottish Hydro Arena.

The gargantuan venue - already known as "The Hydro" - is due to open in spring 2013 near the SECC.

Energy suppliers Scottish Hydro were giventhe naming rights after committing to investing s1.5million a year overthe next decade in the ground-breaking venue for Glasgow. It will hostaround 140 events a year.

The building, designed by Foster & Partners, is expected to attract a million visitors each year.

It could make The Hydro one of the top fivebusiest indoor music arenas in the world, alongside New York's MadisonSquare Gardens and London's O2 arena.

It is hoped it will inject s131million each year into the local economy.

TV personality Carol Smillie launched the venue this week.

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE(Scottish and Southern Energy), said: "This exciting partnership willenable us to provide an array of attractive benefits to our customersand staff right across the country, bringing an entertainmentexperience to Glasgow we are all very proud of.

"We've supported music events that peoplehave enjoyed for some time and, now we're involved on a larger stage,it means we can bring the experience to many more people."

John Sharkey, chief executive of theSECC,said: "Scottish Hydro share our vision for the new arena that willposition Glasgow and Scotland at the forefront of the global events andentertainment industry.

"We look forward to working closely withScottish Hydro to deliver an unrivalled programme of world-class eventsover the coming years, providing audiences with access to iconic,global artists and acts."

The Hydro will add to Glasgow's reputation as a music city. In 2008, it was awarded UNESCO City of Music status.