University wins contract to manage Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park

22nd December 2017

The maintenance and upkeep of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is to be managed by Sheffield Hallam University.

The University will be responsible for all public realm on the site including grass, paths, lighting, draining, waste and security. Sheffield Hallam University's £14million, pioneering Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) will open early in 2019 and will form the centrepiece of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. Creating innovations that will 'improve the health of the nation', the AWRC will tackle key issues such as static levels of physical activity, rising obesity and mental health whilst also attracting new jobs and investment to the region. In addition to the AWRC, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park hosts the English Institute of Sport Sheffield (EISS), iceSheffield, Altitude, Don Valley Bowl, Oasis Academy Don Valley, UTC Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park, a community sports pitch, and a park environment which includes running and cycling paths and green open spaces. Also planned for the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park is an Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Research and Innovation Centre (ORRIC), a Centre for Child Health Technology (CCHT) and an Indoor Sports Arena. Mark Swales, director of estates and facilities at Sheffield Hallam, said: "Our estates portfolio is extensive and we have overseen some award-winning projects such as the development of our Charles Street building, home to the Sheffield Institute of Education and the renovation of the Head Post Office, now our Sheffield Institute of Arts. The directorate was also recently recognised nationally for being best estates and facilities team of the year 2017 in the Education Sector. "It is this experience that will allow us to effectively manage a site as prestigious as Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and is indicative of the vital role the University has to play in delivering a legacy that will benefit the nation." David Hobson, Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park Project Director, said: -We're delighted to appoint Sheffield Hallam University to manage and operate the public realm areas of the park and to maintain the high quality environment created by Ares Landscape Architects and Henry Boot Construction. -Sheffield Hallam University is a key stakeholder in the development of Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park and together with Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, we look forward to creating further opportunities for investment and regeneration in the next phases of the development.