Sheffield unveils 15-year blueprint for sport and leisure investment
The council’s strategy will guide future funding, planning decisions, and development contributions for the city’s facilities as the population is forecast to grow by almost 75,000 over that period.
The Built Sport and Leisure Facilities Strategy 2025–2039 sets out the first citywide framework for protecting, upgrading, and delivering sports infrastructure.
The strategy identifies a number of ageing facilities requiring major investment, including Springs Leisure Centre, Concord Sports Centre, Goodwin Sports Centre, Hillsborough Leisure Centre, Ponds Forge, and Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium.
Alongside these larger venues, the plan highlights the need to protect and improve strategically important swimming pools, sports halls, and affordable community fitness facilities.
It also recognises the role of smaller assets such as community halls, parks, multi-use games areas, outdoor courts, and wheeled sports facilities in supporting healthy communities.
The document will provide an evidence base for future funding bids and investment decisions, while also informing planning policy and developer contributions linked to new housing and regeneration schemes.
It is intended to help ensure new development is supported by appropriate sport and leisure infrastructure as Sheffield continues to expand.
The strategy concludes that while Sheffield benefits from an extensive network of sport and leisure facilities, many sites are ageing and will require investment to remain fit for purpose. It also stresses that improving participation depends not only on the quality of facilities, but also on their affordability, accessibility and location.
Sheffield City Council said the framework will help strengthen collaboration between public and private sector partners, including Sport England, leisure operators, developers, schools, universities, sports clubs and community organisations, to support the delivery of future projects.
Cllr Brian Holmshaw, chair of the communities, parks and leisure policy committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Sheffield has a proud sporting heritage, producing world-class athletes and inspiring generations of residents to get active.
“To maintain that legacy, we must invest in ageing facilities and ensure people across the city have access to modern, affordable and inclusive places to be active.
“This strategy provides a clear framework for improving and renewing our sports facilities, particularly in communities where activity levels are lower and health inequalities are greater.
“By investing in the right facilities in the right places, we can help more people improve their health and wellbeing, support local clubs and community activity, and create opportunities for the sporting stars of tomorrow.”
