Don Valley Stadium Could Face Closure

Posted on 15 January, 2013 by MOVEHUT

The Sheffield stadium where Jessica Ennis trains could be closed in an attempt to save money, according to a report seen by the BBC.

The document shows Sheffield City Council could save £500,000 a year if the Don Valley Stadium was to shut.

The council said a decision had not been made as yet and this was just one of a list of money-saving possibilities.

Ennis’s coach, Toni Minichiello, said the Olympian would stay in the city even if she had to train somewhere else.

The document, seen by BBC Radio Sheffield, raises the prospect of reopening the city’s smaller Woodburn Road Athletics Stadium which was closed 18 months ago.

Mr Minichiello said the stadium was vital for the gold medallist’s outdoor training.

“If we don’t have an outdoor track to work on then we’ll have to find some options in other places but she’ll stay in Sheffield because that’s where she wants to be”, he said.

Don Valley stadium opened its doors in 1991 for the World Student Games in Sheffield at an expense of £29m.

The full cost of the Games was revealed in 2011 as £658m.

The debt from the Student Games is not due to be paid-off until 2024.

Sheffield Eagles rugby league club still play a few games at the Don Valley Stadium, however Rotherham United’s short lease there ended after the club relocated to its own stadium in July last year.

Chairman of City of Sheffield Athletics Club, Mike Corden, whose members train at Don Valley Stadium, said its closure would be an “obvious blow” to the city’s athletes.

He said: “I would be fighting tooth and nail to make sure we keep a top-class facility open so we can develop the Jess Ennises of the future.”

“I would hope the council, if they do ultimately close this place down, will offer us a first class alternative.”

Sheffield City Council said the report seen by the BBC revealed a number of options prepared by council officers for consideration as councillors decided the authority’s budget for next year.

Cabinet member for finance at Sheffield City Council, Bryan Lodge, said the council faced “tough options”.

It faces making £50m of cuts in 2013-14 on top of £140m cuts previously made in the last two years, said Mr Lodge.

“We’re making decisions on a lot of things which are very difficult and very unpalatable to a lot of people.”

Sheffield councillors have until 4 March to decide the city’s budget for the next financial year.




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