Richard Dunn Sports Centre

There is a huge pool but those who can't swim without armbands swimmers don't have much of an area where they are allowed.  The water has always been very cold on all our visits, so much so my little one's teeth were chattering and we had to get out.  We no longer use this pool as it is just too cold.  Staff are friendly enough, ample parking.  I dislike the fact that you have to walk past vending machines so of course the kids want things.

You can do almost anything in this sport centre, which is conveniently located in just before the Odsal roundabout in Bradford. Firstly, there are loads of car parking spaces so there will always be somewhere to park. The range of sports offered is excellent. Firstly, the pool is seen as probably the major attraction. They have a coupld of slides available for those just wanting to have a good time but there’s also space for those just wanting to get some exercise (although I’d suggest not going on a peak time at the weekend as kids parties tend to be very popular). I have participated in a number of activities here, rollerblading, indoor/outdoor football, basketball….. you name it and they are likely to have it. The facilities are not the best in the world but to me that’s not really that important a factor. I see this place as somewhere where you can have some fun. Whether you want to go to get exercise or prefer to go with others and have fun Richard Dunn’s is a quality venue.

A purpose built swimming and sports centre named after the Bradford boxing champion. Easy access from the M606/M62 motorways although if there has been an event on it can be difficult to get in or out of the car parks. The usual car park is a strange shape with hills all round it. In my view it would have been better to have disposed of some of these hills.

Inside there is a big swimming pool which is an irregular shape. There is one part of it though that you can do conventional lengths in. The rest of it is more of a fun pool. There are various waterfalls and there are two good slides which you either pay separately for or are forced to pay in with the swimming at some sessions. There are always plenty of attendants about. There is a seating area next to the pool for doting parents/grandparents etc or just if you fancy a break from swimming. There is access to the cafe but it isn’t very close by and you cannot go in your swimming gear.

There are various sports halls of different sizes, a fully-equipped gym and squash courts. The main hall also hosts large sports functions, computer fairs and is used for counting at the elections. This has tiered seating at one end.

They do a range of classes such as Pilates, kickboxing, karate, spinning etc.

There is/was a climbing area but I am not sure if this is now dyfunct as I haven’t seen anyone using it for some years now.

The changing rooms are below standard in my opinion. They are cold, the toilets aren’t very clean, the ceilings are usually festooned with soggy toilet paper bombs that have dried out (nice!). The changing area for the dry sports are often littered with rubbish and the showers in this part aren’t very private ie male attendants have walked through while female sportspeople are showering. There is no door to the shower area.

The cafe has the usual chips with everything type fare and buns and biscuits. They do wave to those who are trying to be healthy by providing fruit and basic uninspiring salads and jacket potatoes (although I have often found they have run out of these).

There is also a bar and function room within the building but it is nothing to write home about.