Sport and leisure centre revamp plans unveiled

A former swimming pool and a premier athletics track are among a number of sport and leisure facilities set to be refurbished by Sheffield Council.

The council wants to modernise leisure facilities and improve access to sport in disadvantaged areas with a new strategy up to 2039.

There are plans to reinstate a pool at the University of Sheffield's Goodwin sports centre after the old pool closed in 2023 when a survey identified safety concerns with the building.

Sheffield Hallam University city athletics stadium – known as Woodburn Road – is also earmarked for a new refurbished track so it can be accredited for UK Athletics events.

The council says there is no money in place for building projects but having a strategy means it can apply to Sport England and other bodies for funding.

Priorities include investing in Concord sports centre, Springs and Hillsborough leisure centres, Ponds Forge and improvements to outdoor facilities and community halls.

A council report says: "Existing provision can theoretically meet much of future demand but many facilities are already full at peak times, a large proportion are ageing, access is uneven and communities with the greatest health inequalities often face the biggest barriers to participation.

"A major priority is the replacement and refurbishment of ageing public leisure centres, particularly those providing sports halls and swimming pools.

"For swimming, there is a need for new or expanded water space through the redevelopment of Concord and Springs, the re-provision of a pool at Goodwin and reconfiguration of the existing water space at Ponds Forge while also recognising the importance of modernising older pool stock."

The council wants to extend opening hours and make better use of community halls and multi-use games areas.

Firth Park, Woodthorpe, Arbourthorne, Batemoor, Jordanthorpe and Tinsley were places "where future funding and activity should be concentrated".

The report added: "Sheffield should continue to support specialist and emerging activities such as padel, diving and bowls while protecting important but more niche provision such as boxing, climbing, golf, archery and equestrian sites.

"The recommendation is not always to build more, but to improve quality, retain access, rationalise underused sites and ensure facilities remain viable and fit for purpose."

The communities, parks and leisure committee will discuss the strategy at a meeting on 15 July.

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