SIR – As a frequent visitor to the Richard Dunn Sports Centre, am I the only one cheesed off that the future of this facility appears to be terminally linked to that drastically underused stadium across Rooley Avenue?
I know the sports centre is hardly the prettiest edifice on the Bradford skyline, but for my children it ticks all the boxes and performs a vital role in keeping them fit and socially interactive.
The main difference between them is that Dunn’s is usually operational seven days a week, whereas the rugby use of Odsal, professionally at least, is once a fortnight in season time-only, for paying spectators.
There are not enough fixtures to make Odsal Stadium make any long-term sense financially, and thus it is understandable Peter Hood is leaving no stone unturned to prevent the sports village concept dying an inevitable death.
It is ironic that Valley Parade has taken on such significance as Mark Lawn continues to lure the Bulls across the city. I lived next to it and fiercely objected to the massive Kop structure. Geoffrey Richmond ensured City would be trapped at Valley Parade.
In some ways I share Mr Hood’s frustration that Manningham may be the only option left.
John Murphy, Cooper Lane, Bradford
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