The Dome Leisure Centre
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Dome Leisure Centre is an arena and leisure centre in Doncaster, England, informally known as The Dome or Doncaster Dome. It has a swimming complex, bars, a sports arena that is also used as an event venue and the United Kingdom's first ever two-level ice skating rink.
| The Dome Leisure Centre | |
|---|---|
| The Dome Doncaster Dome |
|
| Facility statistics | |
| Location | The Dome Doncaster Leisure Park Bawtry Road Doncaster DN4 7PD England |
| Opened | 26 November 1989 |
| Owner | Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council |
| Operator | Doncaster Dome Leisure Trust |
| Construction Cost | £26 Million |
| Architect | Faulkner Brown |
| Former names | |
| None | |
| Tenants | |
| No Regular Tenants | |
| Seating capacity | |
| 1,000 – 2,100 | |
The Dome as a concept was first conceived in 1985, by Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. The aim of the project was to inject capital and confidence into the community of Doncaster. The Dome was to act as a catalyst for the economic and qualative regeneration of Doncaster — at a time when the economic climate of Doncaster was depressed, the Dome was to herald a new age.[1]
The building was designed by architect Faulkner Brown, and work was underway by November 1986, taking a little under three years for completion with the building officially being declared 'finished' in August 1989. The building was officially opened by HRH Diana, Princess of Wales on November 26, 1989. In total, the project cost £26million. [2]
[edit] Facilities
- The Lagoons comprises seven free form interlinked pools with a children's area and flume water rides. It hosts many activities, including parties and young children's swimming lessons. In 2002, two new rides were introduced, 'The Anaconda' and 'Alligator Attack'. In January 2005 a new feature was unveiled - 'The Amazonian Falls', a double chamber speed slide. Other features include two whirlpool spas, eighteen 'Water Bubble Beds', two artificial geysers, four water cannons, three massage channels, four water gargoyles and a mushroom drench shower.
- The Ice Caps is The Dome's two-level ice skating rink, featuring two ramps, two mini-rinks on different levels and 1.5 square kilometres of ice.
- Fitness Village is the largest fitness facility in the North of England[3], and contains over 180 pieces of gym equipment, including weights, running machines and other hi-tech fitness equipment, as well as a 90 metre running track surrounding the gym.
- The Hall is where a major part of The Dome's events take place. It houses three five-a-side football pitches, as well as twelve badminton courts on the same floor. It also has tiered seating that is kept tidied away near one wall of the Hall. The Sports Hall, as it was then known, was formerly the home venue of the "Doncaster Panthers" men's basketball team. Aside from sporting events, The Hall also hosts concerts, with artists that have appeared there including Feeder, Embrace, Travis and Faithless. On February 9, 2007, The Hall hosted arguably its biggest concert yet, with BBC Radio 1 bringing Kaiser Chiefs to the arena for a live gig to celebrate the launch of the band's second album.[4] Morrissey has announced he will be playing here in January of 2008.[5]
