Stoke Mandeville Stadium

The birthplace of the paralympics games,Owned by

Wheelpower and operated by Leisure Connection Ltd

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Introduction

(Thank you to Wheelpower for the information)

Stoke Mandeville Stadium has become known as the 'home of wheelchair sport' and the 'birthplace of the Paralympic Games'. It owes its existence to Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a neurologist at Stoke Mandeville Hospital who believed passionately that access to sport played a vital role in the rehabilitation of those suffering injury or disease to the spine.

In 1944 Guttmann founded the National Spinal Injuries Centre and pioneered the integration of sport into the rehabilitation of spinal injury patients. The increase in strength, confidence and self-esteem brought about by participation in sport was incredible. Statistics show that prior to this innovation, eight out of ten spinal injury patients died within three years of paralysis. Now paraplegics and tetraplegics lead active and fulfilling lives, mainly thanks to the incredible innovation wrought by this dedicated doctor. More than 50 years on, WheelPower - British Wheelchair Sport aims to ensure that Sir Ludwig's legacy lives on.

WheelPower provides accessible facilities at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the “home of Wheelchair Sport” including an Athletics Arena, Sports Hall, Indoor Bowls Centre, Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre. On site accommodation in the Olympic Lodge and the Olympic Village is suitable for a wide range of disabilities and is complemented by meeting and conference facilities and catering for events of all sizes.

The provision of sporting facilities at Stoke Mandeville started in the 1940's and in 1969 the Stoke Mandeville Stadium was opened by Her Majesty The Queen.

In 1984 the centre played host to the Paralympic Games with some 1200 athletes taking part in a festival of sport.

In April 2003 the Stoke Mandeville Stadium was opened by HRH The Prince of Wales, Royal Patron of WheelPower following a £10.2 million redevelopment. Redevelopment saw the facilities totally transformed into a state of the art sports complex including sports and catering facilities alongside the Olympic Lodge and Olympic Village.

The new facilities were redeveloped thanks to a Sport England Lottery Fund award of £5.243 million together with funds raised through WheelPower's Sporting Chance Appeal Committee.

In addition to the new facilities the existing facilities are being upgraded and new facilities added as funds permit.