Ponds Forge sports centre set for multi-million pound refurbishment

One of Sheffield’s biggest leisure venues is set to open a state-of-the-art gym and brand new changing facilities as part of a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, operated by not-for-profit organisation Sheffield City Trust (SCT), will install the latest fitness equipment and a new spinning studio, which will make it one of the first gyms in the country with Technogym bikes.

The current Fitness Unlimited gym is set to be expanded to make space for the new equipment and enable more people to exercise thanks to a major investment by SCT and Sheffield City Council.

The new gym will feature a Wellness System and MyWellness Cloud equipment to track fitness development, Technogym apparatus and the dynamic, pressure-sensitive lighting and sound Prama system, which will bring the gym’s floors and walls to life to create an energetic and motivating atmosphere.

As well as the free weights area undergoing an expansion, a large multi-functional zone in the gym’s centre, designed to make the space more flexible, will be fitted.

Team, competition pool, and members changing areas will be re-fitted with new showers and lockers and the latter will also have a spa with sauna and steam room.

In addition, the swimming and gym reception will be revamped and the access points are going to change in order to improve security.

Steve Brailey, chief executive of SCT, said: “This major investment demonstrates our commitment to encouraging the people of Sheffield to move more. Every year we carry out extensive investment work to improve our facilities and sessions for all members of the community.

“The refurbishment at Ponds Forge will provide modern state-of-the-art fitness equipment for all our customers and will also improve the changing areas for pool users. All this will contribute to our ongoing goal to improve the health and wellbeing of Sheffield by creating top-of-the-range venues where local people can go to exercise and improve their fitness.”

Councillor Isobel Bowler, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Sheffield City Council, added: “We are very pleased that we as the council have been able to support SCT and make this refurbishment possible.

“Ponds Forge is one of the city’s most prestigious sports facilities and is an excellent city centre venue, for everyone from children learning to swim through to Olympic-level athletes. I am delighted that the facilities there will be enhanced.

“The refurbishment should encourage even more people from across Sheffield to visit Ponds Forge and use the revamped gym, swimming pool and spa.

“Taking part in sport and physical activity is an important factor in feeling well and being protected against disease, so ensuring that Sheffield’s facilities continue to attract users is an essential part of improving the health of our residents.”

All refurbishment work is expected to be completed by the end of October.

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