THE Telegraph & Argus has been flooded with readers' opinions on what the Richard Dunn Centre should be turned into after it was awarded listing status.

From a music venue and a skatepark to a museum and the return of the swimming baths, we have been inundated with your views.

The building was due to be demolished later this year but was given listed status by Historic England yesterday.

The listing throws the future of the site into doubt, as it means the building is now among the most protected structures in the city.

The T&A conducted a poll last night asking readers, "Do you think the Richard Dunn should be preserved?"

An overwhelming 2,780 people responded, with 55 per cent feeling it has to be preserved.

A large group of people believe it should be converted into a music arena.

Rob Ives said: "Richard Dunn’s Arena! Come on, let’s make it happen."

"Right. Now turn it into an arena," said Neale Deacon.

Caroline Foster added: "This would be a great music venue."

Haashim Haidari said: "It should be converted into a boxing/WWE/UFC/music concert arena. It's literally a 30-second drive from m606 and there is plenty of parking on site."

Callum Thornton agreed, saying: "Great news. Could make it into a music venue as it has the capacity and space."

Tracy McNamara too, adding: "Music venue would be great. Great access from the motorway and plenty of hotels about."

Lou Hurrell said: "It would make a great music arena. It could regenerate Bradford if they thought about it.

Paul Shaw added: "An arena for live music. Let’s get some good acts coming to do arena tours. I hate having to travel to Manchester. Leeds or even Sheffield."

Martin McEvoy disagreed saying: "It would not make financial sense. Once the stage and backstage facilities have been added the auditorium would be too small.

Sarah Bell made an interesting suggestion.

"It should be used to house the new National Rugby League Museum," she said.

"The museum was supposed to be in Bradford originally, but we lost it to Huddersfield because they had quite an appealing plan to put it in the George Hotel, which is the birthplace of the sport. However, apparently, it isn’t viable anymore to put it in the George, so there’d be a perfect chance for Bradford to get in on the act again. The Richard Dunn Centre is opposite the home of the former rugby league world club champions and has easy access for visitors arriving in Bradford from the motorway network, so it would make a lot of sense location-wise. It could also be a focal point for the regeneration of surrounding areas of south Bradford, perhaps including a high-quality restaurant, bar and café."

Paul Jowett was thinking along the same lines.

He said: "Due to its location and parking, it would make a great smaller exhibition centre."

Others feel it is big enough for a multi-purpose arena.

Gareth Rayner said: "Cinema, bowling, pool hall, laser quest, skate park, sports bar/pubs, food, swimming, climbing, all under one roof would be good."

Sarah Banks added: "How about turning it into an Xscape (like in Castleford) with multiple things to do, go-karting etc."

Katie Wright agreed, saying: "An activity centre. Something like Xscape."

Kane Holmes, along with many others, favoured the idea of a skatepark.

He said: "Swimming pools make great skateparks."

Zee Ali said: "Indoor skatepark, please. Bradford needs one desperately."

"Make it a skatepark," Tim Deka added.

Sean Barber said: "Definitely an indoor skatepark. Bradford still needs one."

Meanwhile, some readers want to see the swimming pool back in action.

"Bring back the old pool," said Louise Connors.

"Have another activity in the sports hall side like a climbing wall or high ropes. It would be a brilliant attraction."

Afiyah Desmier asked: "Why on earth don't we open this back up as a swimming baths?"

Cheryl Whyatt said: "Back to the original swimming pool and gym."