IT was known as The Drill Hall, while others called it Silverwell Street Sports Centre but for most of us this town centre venue was simply Bolton Sports Centre in Silverwell Street which was its official title prior to closure in October 1995.

The hall was built before World War One although the exact date is not known. A dinner with entertainment was held in the hall for returning prisoners of war following the war.

In its heyday the hall, which was right in the centre of Silverwell Street, was home to so many different sports and events it is impossible to name them all.

Town centre workers would pop in during their lunch hour to enjoy a game of badminton or squash or play a game of five-a-side football.

Judo and karate classes would take place in the hall as would boxing and wrestling matches, as well as training for these sports and table tennis.

There was a bar so it became a social venue too, explains former Bolton Sports Centre manager Oliver Johnson who worked at the centre in the 1980s and 1990s before taking early retirement.

The hall was, says 83-year-old Oliver — who lives in Horwich — a popular venue for dog shows, flea markets and even the circus. It also played host to car shows.

"It really was a popular place but the problem was that the building was falling apart and it really did need a lot of work carrying out on it," he explains.

The building had housed the Army — hence the name of The Drill Hall — and also contained a rifle range and was used by the Post Office at one time, explains Oliver.

It was a huge venue which was a well known landmark in Bolton and had been a major part of the town for many years.

There are generations of Bolton families who will remember being involved in sport in the centre, attending the various events there or simply popping in for a drink.

As times have changed so has the way in which we exercise and enjoy our sporting activities but there are few modern day facilities that can boast such a rich and vibrant history as this popular venue.