Sheffield Council mulls plan to bulldoze Don Valley Stadium

The Don Valley Stadium opened in 1991 for the World Student Games, which was revealed in 2011 to have cost the city £658 million and whose debt will not be paid off until 2024.

A council document says it could save £500,000 per year if the stadium closed, but the council insist that is only one of hundreds of possible money-saving options.

Ms Ennis’s coach said she had no plans to leave Sheffield even if the stadium is demolished.

The Olympic heptathlon champion shares her training between the outdoor stadium and the indoor English Institute of Sport nearby.

Her trainer Toni Minichiello said: “We use Don Valley regularly on Sunday and Monday and it forms a substantial part of our training.

“It’s shocking that they are talking about demolishing it and it would make things very difficult for us, but, like anything, you find a way. Jess will not leave Sheffield.

“The sad thing is it destroys any kind of legacy and no one else like Jess will be able to come through there.”

Ennis already travels to Leeds for javelin training under Mick Hill, although that involves university facilities which may not always be available, while other options include Doncaster and Rotherham.

Sheffield City Council faces making budget cuts of £50million in 2013-14, on top of £140million of cuts made in the last two years.

Bryan Lodge, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “These are extraordinarily difficult times and we have said that we will have to look at tough budget options because of the devastating Government cuts to public spending and local government.

“We have said all along that we have to consider all options and Don Valley Stadium is one of the bigger options on the table.

“I want to make it clear that no decisions have been made and when we are in a position to confirm our spending decisions we will do so.”