Huge building described by Harman and Minnis (2004) as "Spirited and graceful in spite of its size". The building acts as one of a number of regional 'hubs' for the support of sporting excellence. Forms part of a coherent group of sporting buildings built over the past 15 years (1900-2005) nearby including the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield Arena, and 'Ice Sheffield'. This site was formerly occupied by grid iron terraced housing dating to the late 19th century which was cleared between 1973 and 1985. On the 1851 OS the area is depicted as surveyed enclosures. These probably relate to the 1820 enclosure (English 1985) of Attercliffe and Darnall (i.e. Attercliffe Common).