£500,000 worth of improvements at a Sheffield leisure centre and park

Sheffield City Council is expected to approve the £500,000 of funding for Stocksbridge Community Leisure Centre and Oxley Park which will be used to create a new outdoor playground.

As well as brand new play facilities, the funding will also be used to improve access routes and the entrance area to the park and leisure centre, which will mean enhancing the path network, providing additional bike and car parking and an outdoor café seating area.

This investment aims to provide and improve recreational facilities that will support health and wellbeing opportunities for the people of Stocksbridge and beyond.

Councillorr Mary Lea, Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks & Leisure, said: “Our green spaces have become more important than ever during the last few months and it is essential that we continue to invest in them.

"I’d like to thank local councillors Julie Grocutt and Francyne Johnson, the Friends of Oxley Park and the Leisure Trust for their efforts towards securing this funding.

“This investment will make a significant difference to our communities in Stocksbridge. We’ll be delivering a range of improvements that will benefit people of all ages, addressing social, physical and environmental aspects, while transforming Oxley Park into an accessible community facility for all local people to enjoy.”

Andy Clarke, Chief Executive of the Trust and Centre Manager said: “We are delighted to be involved in this project which will create greater access to Oxley Park and link up with our new and popular Oxley’s café, serving both centre and park users. We hope the improved access and parking for both vehicles and cycles will attract greater use of these fantastic local resources.”

The project will further enhance the refurbishment work recently completed to the leisure centre and will be the first phase in delivering priorities for Oxley Park which were highlighted in recent consultation.

Work is expected to begin on site in early 2021.

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