1. Calendar
  2. 3 updates

Don Valley Stadium closure

A Sheffield MP says Government funding cuts left the City Council with little choice but to close Don Valley stadium.

Live updates

Don Valley closure inevitable due to funding cuts

Government funding cuts left Sheffield City Council with little choice but to close the Don Valley stadium, according to one of the city's MPs.

Councillors confirmed earlier this month that the athletics venue where Olympic gold medallist Jess Ennis began her career will be closed to save cash.

But the Government insists it's "completely committed" to delivering a London 2012 legacy. Paul Blomfield's comments come ahead of an announcement tomorrow of proposals for what's being described as "a major Olympic legacy development" located in Don Valley.

Government: young athletes "still have good facilities" in Sheffield

The Government is completely committed to delivering a lasting sports legacy from London 2012. This includes investing over £1.5 billion of public money into elite, community and youth sport in the run up to Rio 2016. This will support our best athletes, improve over 1,000 facilities up and down the country and increase the opportunities for young people to play sport.

We are disappointed in the decision that Sheffield Council have made but hope it ensures that young athletes will still have good facilities in the city in which to train and get involved in sport.

– Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman

Advertisement

MP blames funding cuts for Don Valley Stadium closure

Government funding cuts left Sheffield City Council with little choice but to close Don Valley stadium, according to one of the city's MPs.

Earlier this month councillors confirmed the twenty five thousand capacity athletics venue where Olympic gold medallist Jess Ennis began her career, will be closed to save cash.

Labour's Paul Blomfield made the claims ahead of a Parliamentary debate tomorrow on the Olympic legacy and spending on sports facilities in the steel city.

Back to top