A ceremony has taken place to mark the start of construction work at the £13.7m Tollcross Aquatics Centre in Glasgow, which is to be used for swimming events at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The scheme has been designed by an in-house team at Glasgow City Council (GCC), with Barr Construction appointed to deliver the development. Work will include the creation of a new six-lane, 50m warm-up swimming pool to add to an existing 10-lane, 50m swimming pool at the venue.

Meanwhile, 1,000 permanent seats will be added to the 1,000-capacity spectator area, with a further 3,000 temporary seats to be installed during the Games. A pool-side event control room, new fitness and health suites and an upgraded café are also planned, along with extended changing facilities.

It is anticipated that the new facility will open in early 2013, with a new community venue also to be created to replace the fire-damaged Shettleston Burgh Halls. Scottish sport minister Shona Robison said: "It is great to see work beginning on this venue which will help to showcase Scotland's world class facilities during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games."