Park Community Arena Explained

Park Community Arena
Nickname:Canon Medical Arena
Location:Sheffield, England
Broke Ground:2022
Opened:5 October 2023
Owner:Sheffield City Council
Canon Medical Systems
Operator:PCA Ltd
Tenants:Sheffield Sharks
Sheffield Hatters
Construction Cost:£14 million
Seating Capacity:Overall: 3,000
Basketball: 2,500

Park Community Arena, known for sponsorship reasons as Canon Medical Arena, is a sports arena located within the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, England. The arena's main tenants are the Sheffield Sharks and Sheffield Hatters basketball teams, who relocated from their previous homes at Ponds Forge and All Saints Sports Centre for the start of the 2023–24 season.[1] The arena has a capacity of 2,500 seats for basketball matches.

History

Plans were in place for a 2,500 capacity basketball arena within the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park on the site of the former Don Valley Stadium as far back as 2016.[2] [3] After subsequent delays and changes to the plans, the £14 million Park Community Arena, developed by Canon Medical Systems, broke ground in 2022.[4] [5]

A 10-year naming rights deal was confirmed in August 2023, with the facility officially branded as Canon Medical Arena until 2033.[6] The arena officially opened on 5 October,[7] with the first basketball match held on 8 October where a sell-out crowd saw Sheffield Sharks defeat Newcastle Eagles, 86–56.[8] Two weeks later, Sheffield Hatters made their debut at the new venue with a match against Nottingham Wildcats on 22 October.[9]

Notes and References

  1. News: Sheffield Sharks on schedule to play out of new Park Community Arena home for 2023-24 BBL season. 23 May 2023. Westby. Nick. Yorkshire Post. 3 July 2023.
  2. News: New basketball arena planned for the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield. 15 March 2016. BBC News. 3 July 2023.
  3. News: New Sheffield community basketball arena 'could be built by September 2019'. 16 August 2018. The Star. 3 July 2023.
  4. Web site: Park Community Arena developed by Canon Medical Systems announced at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park. 8 June 2022. British Basketball League. 3 July 2023.
  5. News: Park Community Arena: 'New and unique Sheffield Sharks home will be incredible for team and community'. 9 June 2022. Wilkinson. Alex. The Star. 3 July 2023.
  6. News: B. Braun Sheffield Sharks’ new arena name officially revealed. 31 August 2023. British Basketball League. 24 November 2023.
  7. News: Sheffield Sharks basketball: Brand new 2,500 capacity Park Community Arena opens at Olympic Legacy Park. 5 October 2023. Harrison. Harry. The Star. 24 November 2023.
  8. News: Sheffield Sharks bring the house down with thumping of Newcastle Eagles in thrilling Canon Medical Arena debut. 8 October 2023. Westby. Nick. Yorkshire Post. 24 November 2023.
  9. News: Join us for the WBBL season opener. 15 October 2023. Sheffield Hatters. 24 November 2023.