06 Aug 2018
UK's first dedicated women's football stadium planned for Sheffield
BY Tom Walker
Plans have been unveiled to build the UK’s first dedicated women’s football stadium at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
Scarborough Group International has submitted a planning application for a 3,900-capacity stadium, which would become the new home of Sheffield United Women Football Club.
Whittam Cox Architects, supported by Arup Sheffield, have been appointed to design the £5m (US$6.5m, €5.6m) Stadium, which will feature a single grandstand, housing hospitality and conferencing facilities as well as office space.
"We're looking forward to working with all Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park stakeholders as we deliver the Community Stadium," said Mark Jackson at Scarborough Group.
"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."
The plans come two months after Sheffield United Football Club rebranded its female team as Sheffield United Women, ditching the old 'Sheffield United Ladies' name.
The club said the name change "reflects the club's position as an emerging presence within the women's game".
Sheffield United's chief operating officer, Andrew Birks, said: "The owners, board and everyone associated with the club were in favour of the change, as the excitement continues to build about seeing the women's team mirror the men's team in playing in the second-tier next season.
"It's a decision we feel is right to reflect the modern times of the women's game and we are focused on having an identity and brand consistency when promoting ourselves within the women's game."
The 60-acre Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park already houses the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS), iceSheffield, Don Valley Bowl, Oasis Academy Don Valley, UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park campus, 3G pitch and park environment including Outdoor City Run Routes, cycle paths and green open spaces.
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