The OLP – which is already being internationally recognised as a centre for health, wellbeing and innovation – has been acknowledged by the Government department for playing an important role in bringing together partners across a variety of sectors with the aim of increasing physical activity.
 
David Evennett MP, speaking on behalf of The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “I recognise that creating a more active society will require action by a range of bodies working together over a significant period of time. I therefore welcome the work of Legacy Park Ltd in Sheffield in bringing together partners across local government, the health sector, academia, elite and community sport and the private sector.
 
“I look forward to seeing the Olympic Legacy Park’s plans to establish sports facilities for elite and community use, as well as an Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre that will work towards providing health and wellbeing research and learning.”
 
The 35-acre Olympic Legacy Park – the biggest London 2012 legacy project of its kind in Europe – is being developed in the East End of Sheffield and will be home to a cluster of health, sport and education facilities.
 
Oasis Academy Don Valley, an all-through school for children aged 2 to 16, opened on the OLP with its first class in September 2015 and will grow year on year until it reaches full capacity in 2021.  
 
UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park campus opened in September 2016 – a superb facility for 600 students, aged 14 to 19, specialising in healthcare and sports sciences, and computing. And most recently Henry Boot began on site developing the 3G community pitch as well as the hard and soft landscaping.
 
The English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS), iceSheffield and Don Valley Bowl are also part of the Olympic Legacy Park. EISS supports Olympic and Paralympic athletes such as boxer Nicola Adams and table tennis player Will Bayley.  
 
The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) on the Olympic Legacy Park will be the most advanced research and development centre for physical activity in the world, creating ‘innovations that help people move’ in sport, healthcare, physical activity and leisure.
 
Richard Caborn, project lead for the Olympic Legacy Park, said: “The OLP is one of the most exciting projects to be developed as part of the legacy of London 2012 and will place the Sheffield City Region at the heart of future global health and wellbeing innovations.
 
“Insufficient physical activity is one of the top 10 causes of ill health in England, and the Government is committed to increasing levels of physical activity as set out in its sport strategy ‘Sporting Future: A New Study for an Active Nation’.
 
“I’m pleased that the work of the OLP in supporting the Government’s commitment is being recognised and the role the OLP will play in tackling long-term health conditions is being welcomed.”
 
The Olympic Legacy Park is a joint venture between the public and private sectors, led by Legacy Park Ltd with partners Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam University and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.