Feature

Sheffield set for first women’s football stadium

Scarborough Group International has announced plans to construct the UK’s first dedicated women’s football stadium in Sheffield.

The 3,900-capacity venue would be built at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, at a cost of approximately £5m (€5.6m/$6.5m).

Sheffield United Women Football Club would become the main tenant of the new facility, although rugby league club Sheffield Eagles could also play at the venue to help the team with financial difficulties.

Mark Jackson of the Scarborough Group said: “Scarborough Group is looking forward to working with all of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park stakeholders as we deliver The Community Stadium.

“This will be the start of an important phase in realising the vision of the Park, bringing forward significant private sector investment.

“We plan to start on site as soon as possible, once we have finalised the necessary documentation with Sheffield City Council.”

Aside from serving as a sports facility, the venue would also feature conferencing facilities and office space, covering an area of approximately one hectare.

Local firm Whittam Cox Architects has been appointed to work on the project, with support from Arup Sheffield.

Andrew Dabbs, board director at Whittam Cox Architects, added: “We are delighted to be part of the process to deliver a proposal that will host two of the city’s most famous and influential sporting teams.

“The proposed scheme has been through a rigorous design process that has led to the formation of a strong, striking, unique and instantly recognisable piece of stadium architecture.”

The 60-acre Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is also home to the English Institute of Sport Sheffield, iceSheffield, Don Valley Bowl, Oasis Academy Don Valley, UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park campus, 3G pitch and a park environment.

The Sheffield Hallam University Health Innovation Park, which includes the University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre and National Centre for Excellence in Food Engineering, will also soon be added to the site.