The last 12 months have seen Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park recognised by a string of international visits, including delegates representing Kawasaki City, the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chinese Olympic Committee, the China Institute of Sport Science, and the Vereniging Sport en Gemeenten – all keen to learn from Sheffield’s health and wellbeing initiative.
 
The most recent guest was His Excellency, Mr Koji Tsuruoka, Japanese Ambassador to the UK, who visited Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park as part of a two-day fact-finding experience ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
 
Richard Caborn, Project Lead of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and former Minister for Sport, said: “As we conclude one year and look ahead to the next, it’s very rewarding to look back on what has been a really exciting 12 months.
 
“We are proud that Sheffield is the only city in the world to be delivering Olympic legacy by bringing together expertise from academia, industry and health.
 
“Furthermore, proposals for two new research centres – the Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Research and Innovation Centre (ORRIC) and the Centre for Child Health Technology (CCHT) – were supported in the recent Industrial Strategy Life Sciences Sector Deal
 
“These two pioneering projects were recognised as an example of how Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is bringing together a number of experts to deliver advanced technologies to positively impact the NHS and the health of the nation.”
 
Also in 2017, the completion of the 3G pitch will allow Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club to return to Sheffield in March 2018, and will also be used by Oasis Academy Don Valley, UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and the community.
 
In September the landscaping was completed, the hoardings and fencing were removed, and the Park was opened to the public to access the pathways and green spaces.
 
In partnership with The Outdoor City and Accelerate, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park now offers a number of new Sheffield run routes – a 1km and 1.8km route around the park, with the option of taking in the hill and viewpoint overlooking Sheffield, and 6km or longer options taking in Sheffield and Tinsley Canal and the River Don.
 
Richard continued: “Results have followed quickly since we began work on the site in 2013.
 
“We were thrilled to open it up to the public this year as it has also been a priority of ours to make it a welcoming environment for the local community – we want it to be a place where people can walk, run, cycle, play sports and generally just enjoy themselves.”
 
Construction is due to start in the new year on Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) and National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering (NCEFE).
 
2018 will focus on private sector investment and regeneration of the wider area including the indoor arena, the new home for Sheffield Sharks basketball team, the stadium for the 3G pitch and 70,000 sq ft of office space. Scarborough International Property has been confirmed as the Investor in developing the Stadium. The development will include a new Stand, affordable office space, meeting facilities and supporter’s facilities.
 
Organisations interested in becoming a part of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park are very welcome to contact the Legacy Park Ltd team to discuss the opportunities available – email info@olympiclegacypark.co.uk or call 0114 261 9604