Birmingham鈥檚 flagship Alexander Stadium is set to embark on a new chapter in its history despite hundreds signing a petition against a controversial proposal. The Perry Barr stadium was at the heart of the 2022 Commonwealth Games , hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics competition. The landmark venue is also set to play a pivotal role in hopes of delivering a lasting legacy from the event amid ambitions to put Birmingham on the world sporting map. READ MORE: Council’s 拢7.5m deal to ‘privatise’ flagship Alexander Stadium sparks petition But a divisive plan to hand the running of the site to Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT) and its partners, Serco, until 2030 has sparked backlash. Resident Andrew Gulliver, who launched an online petition against the 鈥榟andover鈥, argued that Alexander Stadium 鈥渂elongs to Birmingham, not to Serco鈥. 鈥淭he Alexander Stadium site was built as a lasting legacy for our city,鈥 he wrote. 鈥淚t was promoted as a long-term benefit for the local community.鈥 The petition, which has been signed more than 1,000 times, added: 鈥淲e are calling on Birmingham City Council to halt the planned handover.鈥 In a report published ahead of a cabinet meeting this week, the council said Alexander Stadium will be the city鈥檚 鈥渒ey facility鈥 for delivering international events as well as national and regional competitions for athletics. 鈥淚t is therefore essential that the facility now transitions to its most efficient and effective operating model to capitalise on its investment,鈥 it said. The council has also said the stadium would remain in public ownership and run on its behalf by Birmingham Community Leisure Trust, which already operates nine of its leisure centres. It continued that the trust has a 鈥減roven track record鈥 in improving public participation while lowering costs “We have agreed to establish a gym user group with council and BCLT representatives to work through issues and concerns collaboratively,鈥 a spokesperson for the council added. The council report, which recommends that the cabinet approve the proposal, also states that it considered other options for the stadium, such as in-house management and establishing a new organisation. READ MORE: Birmingham councillors trade barbs over 鈥榓rrogant鈥 vision for city as election tensions escalate However, it was ultimately decided that the proposal from BCLT 鈥減rovides the best opportunity to maximise an efficient and effective delivery model over the next five years鈥. But the council has said there is set to be a detailed review of future options, including a full open tender, in 2030 when the stadium is more established. The proposal will be considered by cabinet members at a meeting on Tuesday, June 24. Ahead of hosting the European Athletics Championship next August, the council is optimistic that Alexander Stadium can continue to be a world-class venue and boost the city鈥檚 reputation internationally. The stadium was previously revamped with more than 拢70m of funding in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, before a ‘legacy package’ of investment was approved by the cabinet in October 2022. This was underpinned by significant funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). In total, an additional 拢21.4m was allocated to extend and enhance the gym and leisure facilities, along with improvements to Perry Park. The council just this month celebrated the completion of the legacy transformation project with an event at the stadium, which was attended by stakeholders, partners and Perry the Bull. Improvements at the stadium include a new 120-station health and fitness suite, a new third generation artificial pitch for football and rugby, a new cycle studio and a refurbished indoors athletics hall. The permanent lighting arrangement in the main stadium has also been designed to 鈥渇uture-proof future growth and the securing of other major televised events鈥. At Perry Park, the redevelopment work includes a replacement children鈥檚 playground and new sports activation zone for the community, with new routes around the park and reservoir for running, walking and cycling. Coun Mariam Khan, the council鈥檚 cabinet member for health and social care, said the redevelopment cemented the stadium鈥檚 position as a 鈥渨orld-class international sports venue鈥. 鈥淲ith the European Athletics Championships arriving in 2026 and the UK Athletics Championship and English Schools Athletics Championships amongst other events taking place at Alexander Stadium this summer, it is an exciting time for sport in Birmingham,鈥 she said. Katie Sadleir, CEO at Commonwealth Sport, added that the stadium鈥檚 transformation is an 鈥渋nspiring example of the continued legacy鈥 of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. 鈥淲e are proud to see this legacy come to life in Perry Barr and look forward to seeing the stadium thrive as a hub for sport, learning and community engagement for years to come,鈥 she said.