A healthier Scotland with more people participating in sport through more and improved facilities is the hoped-for legacy of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A blueprint of the lasting effects of the games was unveiled yesterday by the Scottish Government, focusing on health, grassroots sports and infrastructure.

New social housing, extra facilities for a range of sports - including athletics, swimming and cycling - and upgraded transport links in the west of Scotland will remain after the athletes have left following the two-week event.

The new facilities will include a national indoor sports arena in the east end of Glasgow, which will be used as a competition and training venue during the games; a national velodrome; a new arena at the SECC; and a cycling centre at Cathkin Braes to the south of Glasgow.

Improvements will also be made to Tollcross Leisure Centre, where an extra pool will be installed. There will be a running track at Lesser Hampden, £1m of improvements to the bowls complex at Kelvingrove and £11m invested in the Kelvin Hall arena.

Sportscotland hopes that the national team will inspire young people with a record-breaking performance.

The interim legacy plan details the transport improvements taking place to enable athletes, officials and spectators to cross Glasgow to reach venues.

Road, rail and water transport projects are either being improved or fast-tracked as a result of the games. These include improvements to the motorway network, the east end regeneration route and a park-and-ride scheme.

Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister, revealed the interim plan yesterday.

She said: "The legacy's importance cannot be overstated. It's about more than hosting a two-week sporting festival. It offers us the chance to make real improvements to people's lives, to raise our sights as a nation.

"Our vision is of a legacy that helps people live longer, healthier lives, in strong, supportive communities, valuing and protecting the built and natural environment, with new and better skills development, employment and volunteering opportunities.

"I want everyone - individuals, groups and communities - to engage in this process and to think creatively about how the Games can help in their area."

Is it hoped that other events such as the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in 2014, the International Children's Games in Lanarkshire in 2011, and the London Olympics in 2012 will provide major benefits to Scotland.

The Games Legacy Team said: "Improving Scotland's health will be the unifying theme of our Games Legacy Plan."

It is also hoped that the legacy will include an increase in people of all ages, particularly the young, taking part in sports, with more facilities, more sports clubs and more volunteers.

It has been admitted that other Games have not produced increased participation, despite heightened exposure and interest during the event.

However, the legacy team said: "We want to break this mould. Working hand in hand with Cosla, each of the local authorities, sportscotland and other public, private and third-sector bodies, we want to transform today's grassroots sport and physical activity landscape.

"In doing so, we believe Scotland will be better prepared to harness and sustain the increased demand for physical activity and sport that we predict the games will generate."

A series of consultations asked what different groups wanted to see as the legacy. Young Scots called for more facilities and more opportunities to try different sports, while businesses want to benefit from being able to bid for procurement opportunities.

A Business Club Scotland is also being established to promote the opportunities that will arise before, during and after the games, and to develop contacts with companies in other competing countries for future networking purposes.

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