The Princess Royal undertook an hour-long tour of the new facility before unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

Her Royal Highness was joined on the visit by Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, and representatives from the sporting world.

During the tour the Royal delegation watched:

• an indoor long jump and hurdles training session by pupils from the Glasgow School of Sport
• an indoor weight session with members of the Glasgow Warriors Rugby Squad
• a rugby coaching session with local school children, and
• further indoor athletics sessions with elite athletes and children from Scotstoun Primary School.

Speaking at the launch, Councillor Purcell said, ‘Today marks the start of a new era for sport in Scotland, with the improved facilities further enhancing Scotstoun’s international reputation as a world-class athletics venue.

‘Scotstoun will play a key part in our preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, when some of the world's top athletes will compete in our city.

‘More importantly, the new facility will provide a real and lasting legacy for all of our communities as we build a more active Glasgow for future generations.

‘But this is only the start. Along with the other planned Commonwealth Games arenas, including the National Indoor Sports Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Scotstoun will ensure that Glasgow is recognised as a centre of excellence in world athletics.’

Louise Martin CBE, Chair of sportscotland said, ‘After years of planning and hard work it is great to see the new facilities built as part of the Scottish Government’s National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy coming on stream here in Glasgow, and we are proud to have supported the development of Scotstoun Stadium with an investment of £4.5m.

‘Scotstoun has always been at the heart of athletics in Scotland and thanks to this major redevelopment it has undoubtedly secured its future both on the domestic and international calendar, for competition and training at the highest level, including its use as a training venue for Glasgow 2014.’

Attending the official opening, Minister for Public Health and Sport Shona Robison said, ‘I am delighted to see the opening of the refurbished Scotstoun Stadium. These exciting improvements mean that the popular venue, an integral part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, will continue to attract the best athletes in the world to Scotland.

‘We are determined to help the people of Scotland adopt healthier lifestyles and create a more Active Nation. Scotstoun Stadium will offer a unique and inspiring opportunity for the people of Glasgow and further afield to enjoy a more active lifestyle at a world-class venue.’

Glasgow Warriors head coach, Sean Lineen, said, ‘Glasgow Warriors are currently top of the Magners League and the facilities here at Scotstoun will become central to the future success of Glasgow Warriors both on and off the field.

‘Not only will some of the country’s elite international rugby players be working here each day, but the stars of the future will be encouraged and nurtured through the use of such world class surroundings. This is a great day for Glasgow Warriors and Scottish Rugby.’

Laurier Primeau, scottishathletics Head Coach, added, ‘The redevelopment of Scotstoun has left Glasgow and the country with a world class facility that will more than serve the needs of Scottish athletes and coaches in the years to come.

‘The fact that there are so many training modalities within one property means that we can truly focus on both development and high performance simultaneously at Scotstoun.

‘The indoor and outdoor tracks, the grass areas which are conducive to interval workouts for endurance athletes, the aquatics centre and its provisions for cross training and rehabilitation, coupled with the strength and conditioning area and paramedical rooms, make for a facility that coaches and athletes dream of.’

Scotstoun Stadium’s capacity is 5,000 – with the flexibility to increase this in the future. The stadium redevelopment will allow Scotstoun to bid for world-class athletic events.

As well as a refurbished track and field, there is a full-length, indoor warm-up track, conditioning suites and state-of-the-art press and media facilities.

The facility attracted £4 million in funding from sportscotland, with the remaining £14 million cost funded by Glasgow City Council.

The Glasgow Warriors have already struck a deal to use the new complex as their training base from June 2010.

A partnership between the Scottish Rugby Union, Glasgow City Council and Culture and Sport Glasgow will also see the facility become a centre of excellence for rugby.

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