Sheffield City Council has announced a £117 million investment package for the city’s leisure and entertainment facilities. The plans include rebuilds of some of the city’s most popular leisure centres, improvements to Sheffield Arena and the City Hall.
Springs, Concord and Hillsborough Leisure Centres have all been selected for rebuilds. In addition to investment for the Woodburn Road FC.
A procurement process for the new projects will be put in place in 2024 when the existing agreements for the management of the various sites is due to end.
The procurement process will be split into three packages. Each bidder will have the opportunity to tender for the packages that best suit their experience. The packages consist of Services for Sport and Leisure (including golf facilities), entertainment facilities at the town hall and entertainment facilities at the arena.
Commenting on the plans, Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield is renowned for sport, leisure and entertainment with our venues hosting many elite events and high-profile shows. We’re proud of this but we know that many of our facilities need significant investment. Our plans will ensure there are modern, accessible leisure facilities across the city and they will ensure Sheffield has the venues to compete on the national and international stage.
“Listening to our residents, we know that many people can find it hard to be active and incorporate healthy habits into daily life. That’s why we’re working with our partners to deliver excellent, low-cost facilities across the city. We want to ensure people across Sheffield can access facilities that support wellbeing, physical and mental health, that are aspirational for children and young people and are places to socialise and have fun.
“There’s a lot of work to be done, but we’ve developed a long-term vision that will protect and enhance our much-loved venues. Across the country we’ve seen pool and leisure centres close but Sheffield is bucking the trend by investing in our facilities.”
Reflecting on the potential impact of the scheme, Councillor Richard Williams, Chair of the Communities, Parks, and Leisure policy committee, said: “To look after ourselves, we need facilities and open spaces that are fit for purpose, places that people want to visit and enjoy.
“Health and wellbeing matter now more than ever. A walk in the park, a swim at your local pool, or a 30-minute class in the gym does wonders for minds and bodies and it’s important that local people have the choices to do it their way.
“Sheffield is one of only three cities in the UK to host a National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine. A significant part of our success lies in working closely with our partners such as the NHS, the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Working together to deliver the city’s Move More strategy enables us to ensure Sheffield residents have the facilities they need to live happy, healthier lives.”
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