Located in the centre of the Park, the National Sports Centre (NSC) is a Grade II* Listed Building, because it is regarded as an influential example of 1960's architecture. Nonetheless, it has been widely felt that the NSC, its adjacent buildings and the athletics stadium fit uncomfortably in the Park.

A major part of the masterplanning process has been to examine how the NSC and stadium can be better integrated into the park. The NSC sports complex as a whole, including the Jubilee Stand, north spectator stand and accommodation buildings currently have a negative impact on the historic landscape of the Park.

Once the proposed new purpose built Regional Sports Centre (RSC) has been constructed, it is planned that the NSC will be reconfigured to fulfill a range of functions as a dry sports venue, children's play area, Park visitor Information Centre and indoor events venue.

The athletics stadium would be retained and reconfigured, with a surrounding retaining wall constructed to create a natural bowl and grassed amphitheatre with informal seating for spectators. This proposal reflects the stadiums anticipated low key use following the transition of international and national athletics events to the 2012 Olympic site.

The masterplan proposes major revitalisation in the Central Sports Area including the removal of all clutter and fences, the demolition of redundant buildings and the podium and the re-instatement of the Paxton Axis at a raised ground level. The removal of the NSC's surrounding structures would also allow the building to be viewed more as the pavilion which is what the original design envisaged.

To achieve a continuous parkland terrace, the level of the area around the NSC would be raised to the current pool hall level. The area to the north of the NSC would become an open level grassed area large enough for a full sized football pitch for informal sports use.