Sheffield Council showed ‘great courage’ with u-turn on Ponds Forge decision, says Sheffield City Trust

Sheffield City Trust has welcomed a decision to reopen Ponds Forge International Sports Centre next month.
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Sheffield Council's cabinet last week asked officers to prepare a report with a view to reopen it for the public and elite athletes.

The report is due to be published this week ahead of a meeting on September 23.

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SCT runs Ponds Forge and several other major venues across the city including FlyDSA Arena, City Hall and iceSheffield.

Ponds Forge is now expected to reopen at the beginning of next monthPonds Forge is now expected to reopen at the beginning of next month
Ponds Forge is now expected to reopen at the beginning of next month

It reopened most of its leisure facilities last month with up to £15 million support from the council but at the time the council said it would be too expensive to reopen Ponds Forge as well.

Following a campaign by aquatics clubs based there the council reconsidered its position and now said it aims to reopen it next month.

A spokesperson for Sheffield City Trust said: "From day one of the coronavirus pandemic we have been steadfast in our determination to open all our venues as soon as was feasible, both from a safety and a financial perspective.

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“Ponds Forge is an iconic venue for Sheffield, so it was devastating that we couldn’t open it straight away because of financial restrictions caused by major events such as conferences, exhibitions, banquets and major sports events not being allowed to take place.

“However, with the council instructing for a report to be written, which could provide us with the ability to open for the general public and for sports teams based at the venue, we couldn’t be more pleased.

“It was a very difficult financial decision to keep Ponds Forge closed when other venues were re-opening so we believe it shows great courage from the council to listen to proposals we have been working on – alongside other partners – and look at a way to provide us with the ability to open it.

“Having Ponds Forge re-open will send a message that Sheffield is committed to sport and committed to using sport to benefit the health of the people of the city.

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“We will work closely with Sheffield City Council and Ponds Forge user groups to establish plans to enable reopening as soon as possible.”

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