Sheffield athletics stadium branded 'embarrassing' after disappointment for young competitors

Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium, as it is now known, on Woodbourn Road, in Attercliffe, underwent a £325,000 revamp and was taken over by the university in 2013 as a replacement for Don Valley Stadium which was demolished that year.

The venue is today home to Hallamshire Harriers and the City of Sheffield & Dearne athletics clubs, as well as being used by hundreds of university students and young people from across the city.

Rob Creasey, former head coach at Don Valley Stadium, which he campaigned vociferously to save, said the 'shambles' exposed wider concerns about the arena which he claimed did not live up to what had been promised five years ago.

A wobbly stopping board on the shot circle, overgrown anchor points on the throwing cage, and flooded toilets in the women's changing rooms were among other faults he highlighted.

"Don Valley Stadium was a world class venue and a huge asset to the city. What we have in its place today, despite all the promises five years ago about what it would become, is a facility that's not fit for purpose."

Sheffield Hallam University described Sunday's events as 'unfortunate' but said the steeple chase races had not been booked in by organisers with staff at the facility, meaning the course could not be set up.

"We are also in the process of further improvement works, which will be led by an Athletics Steering Group, including partnership working with England Athletics, Hallamshire Harriers and other local athletes."

Richard Caborn, the former sports minister who now leads the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park project, claimed the university had done a 'fantastic job' at the site.

"There's been a massive improvement and, as far as I'm aware, everyone's extremely pleased with what we have now, but we're determined to improve it further with the university," he said.

"What we have now is a dedicated track and field area for the clubs to use at any time, unlike at Don Valley Stadium where the athletics facilities would be unavailable when other events were taking place."

The site is jointly run by the university, which is responsible for maintaining the track and field, and five-a-side football operator Powerleague, which manages facilities including the changing rooms.

Toni Minichiello, who coached Olympic champion Dame Jessica-Ennis Hill at Don Valley Stadium, said this shared ownership posed a challenge when it came to investment.

He claimed the track itself would never make money and it was unreasonable to expect the cash-strapped council to bail it out, but he suggested there was potential for a local business to sponsor the athletics facilities or for a new money-making attraction to be built at the site to fund their upkeep.

Mr Minichiello agreed with Mr Creasey that the Woodbourn Road stadium was not up to the standard envisaged five years ago but insisted it was far from embarrassing.

"I think it's a great facility and if we can be a bit sharper and smarter there's a fantastic opportunity there to increase sports participation and health across the city," he said.

"Maybe Rob's comments will be the catalyst that's needed for people to sit down and consider what can be done."