Future of Richard Dunn centre to be considered by Bradford Council after Odsal switch (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

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Future of Richard Dunn centre to be considered by Bradford Council after Odsal switch

7:10am Friday 27th January 2012 in Odsal By Jo Winrow

An aerial view of the Richard Dunn Sports Centre opposite the Odsal stadium

Bradford Council could consider replacing the Richard Dunn Sports Centre as part of its renewed sports strategy following the “closing down” of the Odsal Sports Village project.

The original plans for the sports village would have included a community sports centre with a 25-metre pool as a replacement for the aging and costly-to-run facilities at Richard Dunn.

As the funding commitments have now been withdrawn for the sports village redevelopment of Odsal stadium, Council bosses have confirmed decisions need to be made about the future of the Richard Dunn centre, which lies on the opposite side of Rooley Avenue from the Bradford Bulls home ground.

In a report to councillors, Phil Barker, the Council’s assistant director of leisure services, states of Richard Dunn that “there is justification to consider options for its replacement which is likely to provide better value than refurbishment”.

He admits there are issues relating to the condition of the sports centre and its inefficient layout that means it is more costly to run. In addition they need to plan for essential maintenance that is comparably higher than any other Council sports facility.

As a result any work on options for replacing the Richard Dunn sports centre will provide a basis to develop a revised sports facilities strategy, Mr Barker goes on to state.

“Embedded in the revised strategy would be Sport England’s objectives for the 2012 to 2017 Olympic legacy to secure the opportunity to also bid for grant support to deliver plans for the district’s sports facilities.”

The Council’s executive member with responsibility for sport, Councillor Andrew Thornton, told the Telegraph & Argus that the Council’s sports facilities strategy which was approved in 2009 will need to be reviewed, and that it was still committed to the development of a 25-metre city centre pool.

He said: “We need to have a proper look at what sports facilities we have got, where they are and what we need. We are looking at the whole picture so that we end up with the right facilities in the right places.”

A report into Odsal sports village and the implications for the Richard Dunn Sports Centre will be discussed by the Council’s regeneration and economy overview and scrutiny committee next Thursday when it meets at 5.30pm in City Hall.

It comes as it was revealed earlier this week that a deal has been agreed for Bradford Bulls to transfer the lease of Odsal stadium to the Rugby Football League.

The Council continues to own the land, but the RFL now owns the stadium and the club will continue to play its home games there as a tenant.

A 150-year lease was agreed between the Council and the Bulls back in 2002 and the league has taken on the remainder of the term.

In 2009 the Council vowed to push ahead with a £75.5 million sports village scheme which would have seen the redevelopment of Odsal stadium, as well as a sports centre, hotel, sports retail and parking.

But the Council had to withdraw a funding commitment of £15 million last year in order to plough the money into two new special schools instead. This has seen the project closed down and it would need private sector funding to revive it.

Comments(22)

Joedavid says...
7:30am Fri 27 Jan 12

"He admits there are issues relating to the condition of the sports centre and its inefficient layout that means it is more costly to run. In addition they need to plan for essential maintenance that is comparably higher than any other Council sports facility."
Sounds to be in the position as other developments by our Council over the past 40/50 years.