‘Important’ for university to open up sports facilities to wider Sheffield public, says top councillor
‘We want to have good leisure facilities across the whole city that are sustainable and accessible’
Council officials have stressed the importance of Sheffield University opening its swimming pool to the general public, if it gets the go-ahead for its planned new sports facilities.
The university wants to build a state of the art sports centre on Northumberland Road, to replace its current aging facility, which no long has a swimming pool. It has applied for planning permission for the venue. And the council admits it needs the pools that organisations like the universities and schools have among their facilities.
Councillor Marieanne Elliot, deputy chairman of the Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee at Sheffield Council, said: “Giving people more opportunities to take part in activities they enjoy is a priority for us. We want to have good leisure facilities across the whole city that are sustainable and accessible.
"The University of Sheffield’s proposed new swimming pool at Goodwin Sports Centre will help to meet demand, including school children using it for swimming lessons and members of the public for recreational swimming.
"It is important that the pool and other leisure facilities are open to all - not just university students. We have recognised in both the Built Facilities and Playing Pitch Strategies that demand for sports, swimming and leisure facilities cannot be met by the existing supply and our universities and schools can contribute by making sure their facilities are accessible for wider use.”
She added the council encouraged people to share their views on the planning application.
The university’s planning application outlining how the site will be made available to the wider public beyond the city’s students.
Details outlined in the plans would include four small football pitches which will be built over will be replaced elsewhere on the site; a full sized outdoor football pitch; a 10 lane, 25 metre swimming pool with a floor that can be raised or lowered; spectator facilities for watching sport; a sports hall, with flexible configurations for sports such as badminton, basketball, volleyball, futsal, and indoor hockey; a275-station fitness suite; and three dedicated studio spaces.
A planning statement drawn up by consultants Montagu Evans said: “The new sports centre will be accessible to the wider Sheffield community, including local residents, members of staff, local schools and sports clubs. The Proposed Development will significantly enhance sporting provision in central Sheffield.
“The new swimming pool will be used by local schools on a regular basis; currently it is anticipated that the new facility will accommodate approximately two school swimming sessions per weekday. ”
The new plans would see the entrance moved from the current position on Northumberland Road, to a site near the junction of Whitham Road and Northumberland Road, making the facility more visible.
A planning statement drawn up by consultants Montagu Evans said: “The new sports centre will be accessible to the wider Sheffield community, including local residents, members of staff, local schools and sports clubs. The Proposed Development will significantly enhance sporting provision in central Sheffield.
“The new swimming pool will be used by local schools on a regular basis; currently it is anticipated that the new facility will accommodate approximately two school swimming sessions per weekday. ”
The new plans would see the entrance moved from the current position on Northumberland Road, to a site near the junction of Whitham Road and Northumberland Road, making the facility more visible.