IN recent times, Bradford has been crying out for an outdoor hub where various sports can take place for the city's people to participate in and enjoy.

The Horsfall Community Stadium was about to fill that hole before the coronavirus pandemic forced several openings and closures to the venue on Cemetery Road, just off Halifax Road in Low Moor.

With a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, in the form of organised sport being allowed to resume on March 29, the multi-sport facility can finally prepare to reopen for business, hopefully for the foreseeable.

During lockdown, the BD6 ground has been able to host Bradford Bulls training sessions, with the rugby posts now installed, and Bradford (Park Avenue)'s academy.

But to maximise its potential tenants West Bowling A.R.L.F.C. and Bradford Airedale Athletics Club need to be back in there.

Additionally, the stadium intends to welcome back the five-a-side leagues that were previously running before the third lockdown.

Another sport in cycling will also be present. Two lanes on the outside of the running track will be made available for those who prefer to ride on a flat surface.

Horsfall will be a 9am-10pm operation for seven days a week and stadium manager Mark Leadbeater cannot wait to get going again.

He said: "I have been part furloughed so working when I am allowed. We are all raring up to get ready for March 29.

"The main thing is we get the anchor uses in first. We have had the BPA academy back in, four days a week they train.

"The Bulls have been training here four times a week too, two nights for the academy and two nights for the first team. That has gone very well.

"So, we have got football on during the day and rugby on in the evenings which is lovely to see.

"There are so many local football and rugby teams around this area. The more we can bring communities together the better.

"It is just all about people coming here to enjoy the facilities, that is why we started this project."

Two men who are very pleased with what the community hub has to offer are Bulls pair John Kear (head coach) and Stuart Duffy (football manager).

The former said: "The quality of the surface is second to none and is comparable to any artificial surfaces currently in use in the RFL.

"The floodlights are first rate, and it has been a pleasure to do all our outdoor training at this superb venue."

Duffy added: "The high quality of the surface has been immense in helping us through our pre-season.

"Mark Leadbeater has gone out of his way to be accommodating to us and make sure that everything has been top class. I would highly recommend this venue."

If you would like to hire out the pitch post March 29, either email mark.leadbeater@horsfallcommunitystadium.co.uk or call 07592 040322/01274 675417.