Concord shaping the future for health and activity

9th December 2013

One of Sheffield's longest established sports venues is set to play a key role in a major investment project to make the city one of the most active in the UK.

New facilities at the Concord Sports Centre will mean it will become one of three initial developments for the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) a unique, government funded Olympic Legacy project. The £700,000 development at Concord is under the NCSEM banner that brings together communities, clinical services, sport and exercise specialists and health professionals together to explore how exercise can be used in the treatment of a range of chronic health conditions. At Concord, which is funded by Sheffield City Council and operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), this will mean a new facility in the existing North changing block, which will house a range of consultation and treatment rooms. There will be a new dedicated entrance and reception area (see image). SIV is now seeking planning permission for the development. It is hoped building work can begin in the Spring with an expected completion date of late Summer SIV Chief Executive Steve Brailey said: -Concord, which is a popular and successful suburban sport centre, is set to play an important role in promoting health and well being across the city alongside other hubs. Councillor Isobel Bowler, Sheffield City Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure said: -I'm delighted that we're able to announce investment in one of the city's most important community leisure centres. Concord has provided sport, swimming and physical activity to local people for 40 years and we now have the chance to provide new health consultation and rehabilitation services within the centre. This is a great opportunity to bring physical activity and health together in one place. Councillor Peter Price (local councillor for Shiregreen and Brightside) said: -The North East Partnership is delighted with the decision to invest in Concord Sport Centre making it part of the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine. One of the priorities of the N.E. area for the coming years is to tackle the massive health inequalities affecting our communities. The Concord Sports Centre is already very popular with local people and I am convinced this investment will help reach some of the diverse health and sporting needs of our society. Rob Copeland, Dr Rob Copeland Reader in Physical activity and Health at Sheffield Hallam University and project manager of the Sheffield NCSEM said: -The development of the NCSEM at Concord and other key locations elsewhere in the city represents a significant opportunity to shape the future of public health over the next 20 years through this innovative and ambitious programme. He outlined how Concord will operate: Co-locating Sport and Exercise medicine specialists Locating clinical services, sport and exercise opportunities and research within one facility. Encouraging the sharing of facilities and practice between the sports centre and the healthcare facility. Providing professional clinical advice and treatment. Providing a self-contained facility linked to an existing sports and fitness centre. Encouraging integration between the surrounding community and the existing sports centre. On-going research into the effectiveness of this approach. Earlier this year people in Sheffield were encouraged to participate in Move More, Do Something, a linked programme launched around Parkruns. Along with the NCESM, it is supported by a group of major partners including: Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheffield International Venues and the Voluntary Sector.