A joint venture between Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Sheffield City Council, the Olympic Legacy Park has already received the backing of Lord Sebastian Coe and Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams.
The planning application for the Olympic Legacy Park (OLP) in the East End of Sheffield includes the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, which will be run by Sheffield Hallam University pioneering innovative technologies for global healthcare companies including Toshiba to help people move more.
Included in the masterplan is a range of sports and exercise facilities, giving members of the public the chance to improve their health and wellbeing alongside elite athletes and professional sports men and women.
A multi-purpose 3,000 seat indoor community sports and events arena, community artificial pitch and cycle ways will all form part of the OLP. The Olympic-standard twin-pad iceSheffield, English Institute of Sport Sheffield and Grass Bowl are all within OLP’s boundaries.
Plans also include the Sheffield’s second University Technical College, UTC2 Sheffield, teaching young people the skills needed for the computing, healthcare technology, sports science, exercise medicine and wellbeing sectors.
A new academy school and community hub on site – sponsored by Oasis Community Learning – will provide 1,200 places for youngsters aged two to 16.
Rt Hon Richard Caborn, the project lead, said: “This will be a hugely exciting and innovative project bringing together world-class health, education and sport facilities in a unique and cutting-edge environment.
“The Olympic Legacy Park is for everyone, young and old, sports people and athletes aiming for gold medals. It’s about providing the set-up to help people develop healthy lifestyles and avoid health issues through exercise, wellness and prevention.
“It will be part of an internationally recognised Innovation District for health and wellbeing research and learning that will see Sheffield become a model of best practice not just for cities in the UK but across the globe.”
Sir Andrew Cash, Chief Executive for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is another fantastic milestone in the development of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, which is set to change the shape of future health for people living in Sheffield and beyond, by bringing together world-class partnerships and innovations to help people move more.”
Professor Steve Haake, Sheffield Hallam University Director of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), said: “This latest news represents another major step forward for this ground breaking development, which will have Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at its heart. We are proud to support the Olympic Legacy Park and we are looking forward to seeing our vision for the most advanced research and development centre for physical activity in the world come to fruition.”
