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Jessica Ennis's Don Valley Stadium will close | Jessica Ennis's Don Valley Stadium will close |
(1 day later) | |
The Sheffield stadium where Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis trains is to be closed. | The Sheffield stadium where Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis trains is to be closed. |
The demolition of the Don Valley Stadium, which cost £29m, is part of cost-saving measures approved by the city council. | The demolition of the Don Valley Stadium, which cost £29m, is part of cost-saving measures approved by the city council. |
The authority said the £700,000 it spent on the arena in 2012-13 was unsustainable as the stadium was running at a loss. | The authority said the £700,000 it spent on the arena in 2012-13 was unsustainable as the stadium was running at a loss. |
Ennis said the loss of Don Valley was a "huge shame" for Sheffield. | Ennis said the loss of Don Valley was a "huge shame" for Sheffield. |
Before the decision was taken, sports minister Hugh Robertson said he hoped the stadium would not close. | Before the decision was taken, sports minister Hugh Robertson said he hoped the stadium would not close. |
'Financial disaster' | 'Financial disaster' |
He said: "That stadium is extraordinarily emblematic and the fact that Jess Ennis was such a crucial figure last summer only adds to that. | He said: "That stadium is extraordinarily emblematic and the fact that Jess Ennis was such a crucial figure last summer only adds to that. |
"It means a lot to Sheffield, which is one of this country's great sporting cities, and I really hope the council recognise that and do everything possible to keep it open." | "It means a lot to Sheffield, which is one of this country's great sporting cities, and I really hope the council recognise that and do everything possible to keep it open." |
The 25,000-seat stadium was built as the centrepiece of a £147m scheme when Sheffield hosted the 1991 World Student Games. | The 25,000-seat stadium was built as the centrepiece of a £147m scheme when Sheffield hosted the 1991 World Student Games. |
Labour councillors of the time were criticised for landing the city with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt that is still being paid off at about £20m a year and will not be cleared until 2024. | Labour councillors of the time were criticised for landing the city with hundreds of millions of pounds of debt that is still being paid off at about £20m a year and will not be cleared until 2024. |
During a heated debate about the cost-saving budget and the closure of the stadium, Liberal Democrat councillor Simon Clement-Jones said the student games was "one of the biggest financial disasters Sheffield has seen". | During a heated debate about the cost-saving budget and the closure of the stadium, Liberal Democrat councillor Simon Clement-Jones said the student games was "one of the biggest financial disasters Sheffield has seen". |
During the five-hour meeting, Ennis's coach Tony Minichiello said the athlete used Don Valley "at least twice a week for outdoor training". | During the five-hour meeting, Ennis's coach Tony Minichiello said the athlete used Don Valley "at least twice a week for outdoor training". |
'Massive disappointment' | 'Massive disappointment' |
She earlier said the venue held "great memories" as it was where she started her athletic career. | She earlier said the venue held "great memories" as it was where she started her athletic career. |
"It's a huge shame. To see it demolished would be a massive, massive disappointment," Ennis said. | "It's a huge shame. To see it demolished would be a massive, massive disappointment," Ennis said. |
"We've achieved so much as a country in the London Olympics, so to lose some great facilities sends out the wrong message, really. | "We've achieved so much as a country in the London Olympics, so to lose some great facilities sends out the wrong message, really. |
"I understand budgets and costs, but I think we need to find a way to keep it." | "I understand budgets and costs, but I think we need to find a way to keep it." |
Chairman of Sheffield Athletics Club Mike Corden described the stadium as the best in the country for athletics and was outraged by the decision. | Chairman of Sheffield Athletics Club Mike Corden described the stadium as the best in the country for athletics and was outraged by the decision. |
He said: "The writing was on the wall when they didn't instantly rename it after Jess following the Olympics." | He said: "The writing was on the wall when they didn't instantly rename it after Jess following the Olympics." |
The plan will see Don Valley Stadium close and the smaller Woodburn Road Athletics Stadium refurbished and reopened. | The plan will see Don Valley Stadium close and the smaller Woodburn Road Athletics Stadium refurbished and reopened. |
Sheffield City Council is making £50m of cuts in 2013-14 on top of £140m cuts already made in the past two years. | Sheffield City Council is making £50m of cuts in 2013-14 on top of £140m cuts already made in the past two years. |
The authority said it understood nobody wanted to see the stadium close but it could not afford to continue subsidising it. | The authority said it understood nobody wanted to see the stadium close but it could not afford to continue subsidising it. |
Minichiello told BBC Radio 5 live: "It means athletes in Sheffield won't have a 400m track to train on." | Minichiello told BBC Radio 5 live: "It means athletes in Sheffield won't have a 400m track to train on." |
The stadium was also the temporary home of Rotherham United FC for four seasons and has hosted gigs by Michael Jackson and the Spice Girls. | The stadium was also the temporary home of Rotherham United FC for four seasons and has hosted gigs by Michael Jackson and the Spice Girls. |