THE Richard Dunn Centre site in Odsal is likely to be used for employment in the future - according to its owners Bradford Council.

But until a future use is found it will be used as overflow parking for neighbouring Odsal Stadium.

The Richard Dunn site closed in late 2019 when it was replaced by the Sedbergh Leisure Centre, and since then there have been questions over future of the huge site.

Last month Odsal Stadium was brought back into use after years of laying idle.

When asked the future of the Richard Dunn site, the Council said it was looking for potential future uses, and it was likely to be used for employment - seemingly ruling out using the site for housing.

The 6.8 hectare site will be used as parking for events at Odsal Stadium until a permanent use is found.

Opened in 1978 and named after the Bradford born boxer who fought Muhammad Ali, the centre was the main leisure facility for generations of Bradford residents.

The distinctive domed building was perhaps most famous for its waterslides, and had a large cycle track around the site.

It closed its doors as a leisure centre in November 2019 after the £17.5m Sedbergh Leisure centre opened off Cleckheaton Road.

Bradford Council had said the Richard Dunn Centre would have cost huge amounts of public money to bring up to modern standards, and it was thought to be one of the most energy inefficient buildings in Yorkshire - costing huge amounts of money to heat.

Sedbergh was built to include much more modern facilities, although it lacked the much loved waterslides.

A new cycling route is being built as part of another leisure development, the Wyke Sports Village at the former Wyke Manor School site.

The future of the Richard Dunn has taken numerous twists since it first shut its doors.

Before the centre was shut the site was marketed by Bradford Council as a potential retail site.

Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford could become temporary mortuary A brochure was handed out to international developers at a real estate conference in Cannes describing it as the Odsal District Retail Centre.

And the Bradford Economic Strategy 2018 - 2030, published in 2018, refers to leisure facilities moving from Richard Dunn to Sedbergh as “releasing one of the most significant retail developments in West Yorkshire.”

Bradford Council had said the building would be demolished in Summer 2020 before the site was sold to any interested developers.

However, in early 2020 Bradford Council changed its plans, and announced it would be retaining the site.

The Council said it was “considering the most appropriate use” of the area, which is described as being a “strategic site for the wider District.”

The Covid 19 pandemic led to another twist in the site’s future.

In April 2020 it was announced that the demolition of the site was being put on hold, and that the huge building could be used as a standby mortuary “to cover all eventualities in the current medical emergency.”

Part of the site was also used as an “electrostatic biocide spraying station” where people could get their vehicles sanitised.

Neighbouring Odsal Stadium had also been vacant for much of the past two years, with Bradford Bulls instead playing home games in Dewsbury.

But last month the stadium reopened for both stock car racing events and Bradford Bulls home games.

It will also host a dance music festival later this year.

With Odsal returning to use, the Telegraph & Argus asked Bradford Council what the current plans for the Richard Dunn site were.

In a brief statement, a spokesperson, said: “We are looking at potential uses for the site and it’s likely to be for employment uses.

“In the meantime, the council is making the land available as a car park for events at Odsal Stadium.”

Councillor Joan Clarke (Conservative) was elected as a Councillor for the Wyke ward last month. She said she had been delighted with news that the Bulls were once again returning to Odsal, and said news that the Richard Dunn site could be used for employment was promising.

She said uses like a park and ride had been mooted for the large site, and added: "I think that would have been a waste of a prime location. We could have a massive stadium there if we wanted.

"It would be great for employment, we need to generate more jobs in Bradford. That's what the ward needs, more business and employment."

Referring to the recent decision by the Bradford Bulls to return to Odsal, she said: "I'm over the moon. I'm a family person and love taking my children and grandchildren out to places like Odsal.

"The Bulls are back home where they belong."

Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) said: "I've no problem with it being used for overflow parking as we welcome the Bulls back to using their grounds.

"We'll wait to see about the employment use, I'm sure we'll be fully consulted. But before then lets use this to help get the Bulls back on track. I hope it will help neighbours with any issues they have had with inconsiderate parking on match days."