The cost of preserving the iconic Richard Dunn Sports Centre has been revealed.
The figures were released to the Telegraph & Argus via a Freedom of Information request to Bradford Council.
The Council anticipates it will spend an estimated £150,000 in the current financial year as a direct consequence of its listing.
The whopping bill has been branded a “waste of tax payer’s money” by critics.
The Grade II listed building, named after the Bradford-born boxer who was famed for fighting Muhammad Ali, was due to be knocked down at the end of 2021.
A surprise decision by Historic England in April to list the building left the future of the site uncertain.
The listing, described as a “bold and accomplished design" for a 1970s local leisure centre, means the Richard Dunn Centre has a much greater level of protection from the wrecking ball.
But the long-empty site has been plagued by vandalism and security issues in recent months.
This is the appalling mess in the grounds of Richard Dunn Sports Centre. It has been branded a "disgrace" - read the full story here: https://t.co/D4WZ9ATW5a pic.twitter.com/eUDTz1XUOM
— Telegraph & Argus (@Bradford_TandA) October 26, 2022
There has also been a series of eviction battles between the council and groups of travellers settling on the land.
A spokesperson for Bradford Council said: “It is anticipated that the Council will spend in the order of £150,000 as a consequence of the Richard Dunn Centre being listed.
“This cost being incurred to secure both the site and the building against theft and vandalism; to prevent illegal entry into the building with the potential risk to human life; and to protect the listed status.”
It comes after further details emerged about the total cost of repairs to the site in 2022.
In the latest update, Bradford Council told how it had spent £3,549.37 on repairs to Richard Dunn Sports Centre.
Breaking that figure down, the council spent £2,777.57 on security works; £102 on the boarding up of a window; £102 on boarding up of double door; £200.61 on the removal of ladder; £102 on the boarding up of hole in the wall; £68.90 on installing a fence and making it secure, as well as £175.05 on the boarding up of a window.
Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, leader of the conservative group, has called for a definitive plan for its future.
The Worth Valley councillor said: “To be paying out that sort of money on an empty shell of a building, to be no use whatsoever, it just looks like an eyesore at the moment.
“Most people were perplexed and shocked when it was listed and I believe that is being challenged. I can’t see the benefit of listing it.
“To spend that sort of money just to stop vandalism and damage to the building that is just sitting empty is a complete waste of taxpayers' money. It’s just sitting empty. I know some of this is out of the council’s control. But even so, it’s an empty shell of a building.
“It needs a proper plan and what it’s [Bradford Council] going to do. It can’t just sit there.
“It’s not going to stop as it gets older it will cost more money to keep it upright. It’s just a waste of taxpayers' money on an empty building and they need a proper plan.
“They keep changing their mind. It just seems to be different every week.”
Cllr Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey), whose ward covers the Richard Dunn site, criticised the timing of such spending.
It comes after councillors raised concerns about the lack of public access to the green areas of the site.
Cllr Berry said: “It’s a right nightmare as we were right on the edge of pressing the button, waiting for it to blow up.
“My concern is we’re facing the worst spending cuts I’ve seen as a councillor.
“We proceeded with the best of intentions. Then it goes into this protected status. There’s no support that goes with that protected status.
“How many complex care packages are we spending to preserve a legacy of brutalist architecture?
“It’s a massive empty space with no energy conservation whatsoever. We’re left with something we need to find a use for if we’re going to have to.
“The public need to know what we’re doing about this.
“We’re having to spend good money in order to protect people from harm when they try to damage it.
“We’re having to spend that money and in doing so it means it’s not there for something else.”
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