Richard Dunn 'thrilled' that leisure centre has gained listed status

The Richard Dunn Sports Centre, in Odsal, named after the Bradford born boxer who was famed for fighting Muhammad Ali was due to be knocked down at the end of last year.

However, last week it was announced that Historic England had granted the building listed status after The Twentieth Century Society, which campaigns for the preservation of buildings had submitted an application to save it.

The Richard Dunn Leisure centre gained listed building status last week

Richard Dunn, who the centre is named after, is 'overjoyed' that the historic venue is being saved, says his close relatives.

Mr Dunn's son-in-law, Gregg Scott spoke on the 77-year-old's behalf as he now suffers from dementia.

He said: "We told Richard that the building was being saved and he seemed absolutely thrilled. He suffers from dementia now but he understood when we told him a couple of years ago that it was getting demolished which was quite a sad moment, but we explained last week that it's been given listed building status and he seemed over the moon."

Richard Dunn is famed for fighting Mohammed Ali

"It's more than just something that's named after him, he helped to build it, and it's got a special place in his heart."

The centre shut its doors in November 2019 - coinciding with the opening of the nearby £17.5m Sedbergh Leisure Centre complex and the original plans were for the demolition to begin in early Summer 2020.

Greg said: "Thankfully we managed to arrange a tour for him a couple of days before it was due to shut down. He had a lovely time and a lot of memories came back for him then. It was a day with a lot of smiles and a lot of memories, it means a lot to him."

Richard Dunn

However, a new use was found for the historic venue when the pandemic hit as it was used as a drive-through Covid test centre, and an “electrostatic biocide spraying station” for vehicles to be sanitised to prevent the spread of the virus.

Now, locals have been speculating about what the building could be used for.

When asked what Mr Dunn would like it to be used for, Mr Scott said: "He just wants it to be put to good use, and people benefit from it. It could be used for but he's hoping that it will be put to good use for people that need it the most."