The Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC) confirmed the appointment of Bovis to run the site which will create up to 3,000 jobs during construction.

John Sharkey, the SECC chief executive, said: "It is our commitment to work with the very best in the business to achieve our vision for the Scottish National Arena as one of world's leading venues.

"Bovis Lend Lease has a proven track record of delivering our requirements on schedule and with their experience and capabilities, they will help us make our vision a reality."

The contract is due to be completed by 2013.

Expected to have in excess of one million visitors a year, the 12,000 seat Scottish National Arena will be a key venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The arena is expected to become one of Glasgow's landmark buildings.

There will be fixed seating wrapped round the stage and the auditorium will have a distinctive sloping appearance.

It will have an eye catching 40 metre high facade, clad in translucent material which can be lit at night to display projections of patterns, images or logos.

The roof will be a 120 metres wide dome.

The SECC Precinct will host several sports, including gymnastics, judo, netball, wrestling and weightlifting/powerlifting as well as the venues of the International Broadcast Centre and the Main Press Centre.

Gordon Anderson, Executive General Manager Bovis Lend Lease in Scotland, said: "We're delighted to have been awarded the contract to build The Scottish National Arena and to have the opportunity to work again with the Scottish Exhibition Centre Ltd.

"This new arena is set to provide the people of Glasgow and visitors from all over the world with another boldly-designed, top-quality concert and event venue.

"We're looking forward to starting work on the project and bringing new jobs and training prospects to local people, as well as playing a key role in creating new entertainment opportunities for the visitors who will be flocking to the Arena in the decades to come."

Designed by Foster + Partners and situated on the SECC campus alongside the River Clyde in Glasgow, the dramatic venue will become one of the most sophisticated venues in Europe to provide specialised conference, exhibition, and concert facilities on one site.

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