Review of Sheffield's leisure facilities to be carried out following council bailout of Trust that runs them

Last year officers said Sheffield City Trust, also known as Sheffield International Venues, was “hemorrhaging cash” after it got into serious financial difficulties.

The council bailed it out with an emergency £1m, will give it an annual £2.8m subsidy and granted another £3.5m for emergency health and safety costs and maintenance.

But council chiefs warned the cash was short term to stop leisure facilities closing imminently and said there needed to be a long term plan on how they are managed and funded in the future.

The council is now working with the Trust to develop “the future vision” for sport, leisure and entertainment in the city.

The review should be completed in June before public consultation throughout the summer. A final report will be completed at the end of the year ahead of setting the budget in 2021.

The Trust operates Ponds Forge, Concord, Hillsborough and Springs Leisure Centres, Heeley Pool and Gym, the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, Ice Sheffield, Fly DSA Arena, the City Hall and Tinsley, Beauchief and Birley golf courses.

Sport England will be drafted in to look at swimming pool provision to assess whether existing pools meet current and future levels of demand.

Tammy Barrass, of Sheffield Council, says in a report: “We know that a number of the facilities are reaching the end of their expected useful economic life.

“This review will enable the council to evaluate whether investment in these buildings will provide best value for money or whether other options should be considered. This could include replacement with new facilities.

“This work provides a real opportunity to explore the services currently on offer and assess whether they are fit for purpose.”

Sheffield City Trust was set up in 1987 as an independent charity to oversee the running of the city’s sport and leisure facilities, linked to Ponds Forge, Hillsborough Leisure Centre and the Arena that were built for the 1991 World Student Games.