Sheffield plot Don Valley return in 2016

Sheffield Eagles are planning a return to the Don Valley area of the city in 2016.

Plans for a new stadium on the site of the old athletics arena have been circulating. Eagles used to play home games at the now-demolished athletics stadium.

The new venue could possibly be shared with one of South Yorkshire’s rugby union clubs. It is expected to have a capacity of 10,000.

The Eagles have funding in place for the scheme, and now need to secure proper planning permission and refine the stadium designs.

It is hoped that work could be started on the new venue next year, with a tentative completion date of 2016 in place.

The Eagles’ current home of Owlerton Stadium, in the Hillsborough area of the city, has not proved popular with either fans or players.

Plans are afoot to play elsewhere next season, perhaps at the Bawtry Road sports complex in Sheffield.

The new stadium would feature main stand with around 2,500 seats, with standing terraces on the other three sides of the ground.

The new site would also be a community hub, with planning permission for a £17 million, 1,200 pupil ‘super school’ close to the stadium already in place.

The English Institute of Sport and Ice Sheffield would also be close by.