Oxford City Council has approved a £39 million project to redevelop the University Sports Complex at Iffley Road.
Under the plans, the existing sports hall and all ancillary buildings will be demolished to make way for a new sports centre, grandstand and Eton fives courts.
At present, there are around 2000 student members of the Iffley Road gym, with 13 colleges subsidising membership for their students.
Sports Federation Executive Committee member Helen Hanstock said that there is a “dramatic need” to expand the complex to meet the demand from the University sports clubs.
Sophie Winwood, a Womens’ Rugby Blue athlete, also welcomed the new plans, calling the old facilities “out of date.”
Iffley Road Sports Complex was built in 1966, when there were fewer than 10 university sports teams, compared with the current 84.
