The Dome Leisure Centre
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 split level ice skating rink.
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.
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.
53.515442°N 1.099003°W
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's first ever split level ice skating rink.
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.
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
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
on November 26, 1989. In total, the project cost £26million.
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 split 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, 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 PanthersDoncaster PanthersThe Doncaster Panthers Basketball Club was established in 1954 by Morris Wordsworth and played out of Balby High School Gym in their formative years and gained entry to the elite National Basketball League in 1973 playing as Wilson Panthers. This was the NBL's second year of its existence and in...
men's basketball team. Aside from sporting events, The Hall also hosts concerts, with artists that have appeared there including Kings of LeonKings of LeonKings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
, The StrokesThe StrokesThe Strokes are an American indie rock band formed in 1999 in New York City. Consisting of Julian Casablancas , Nick Valensi , Albert Hammond, Jr. , Nikolai Fraiture and Fabrizio Moretti ....
, FeederFeeder-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
, EmbraceEmbrace (UK band)Embrace are an English post-Britpop band from Bailiff Bridge, Brighouse, West Yorkshire. To date they have released five studio albums, one singles album and one B-sides compilation. The band consists of brothers singer Danny McNamara and guitarist Richard McNamara, bassist Steve Firth,...
, TravisTravis (band)Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
, Ian BrownIan BrownIan George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
, Chick CoreaChick CoreaArmando Anthony "Chick" Corea is an American jazz pianist, keyboardist, and composer.Many of his compositions are considered jazz standards. As a member of Miles Davis' band in the 1960s, he participated in the birth of the electric jazz fusion movement. In the 1970s he formed Return to Forever...
and FaithlessFaithlessFaithless were a British electronica band consisting of Maxi Jazz, Sister Bliss and Rollo. The group is best known for their dance songs . Faithless recorded six albums. During their career they sold over 15 million records worldwide...
. On February 9, 2007, The Hall hosted arguably its biggest concert yet, with BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
bringing Kaiser ChiefsKaiser ChiefsKaiser Chiefs are an English indie rock band from Leeds who formed in 1996. They were named after the South African football club Kaizer Chiefs....
to the arena for a live gig to celebrate the launch of the band's second album.
External links
53.515442°N 1.099003°W