Council still open for talks over community arena plan

SHEFFIELD COUNCIL says it is pressing ahead with its plans to extend the English Institute of Sport but remains open to talks with basketball team Sheffield Sharks as the club works to finalise a bank loan for a community arena.

Sharks were asked to finalise a financial plan which would enable them to build an arena on the Olympic Legacy Park by Sheffield Council in July.

The council is under pressure to be able to provide students with facilities by September 2019, when secondary pupils are due to join primary children at Oasis Academy Don Valley and its cabinet approved alternative proposals to provide provision at the English Institute of Sport.

Now Coun Mary Lea, cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure, has said the council “needs to deliver the sports facilities for the school”.

She said: “We understand the Sharks are progressing their plans to raise finance. In the meantime, we need to deliver sports facilities for the school and we are doing that with Sheffield City Trust.”

Sarah Backovic, Sharks’ managing director, said the club were expecting verification reports to be submitted soon as part of plans to build a community arena, which the schoolchildren could use.

She said: “It’s all edging closer. It’s been frustrating for us. But these things take time and we have to be patient.”