I'm looking back at the Sunderland city centre roof which rivalled the size of a jumbo jet hangar
Only one building in the UK had a bigger roof when Crowtree Leisure Centre was built 50 years ago - and that one was made for jumbo jets.
In 1976, the massive roof for the planned new leisure centre was built at ground level in Sunderland.
Then, it was hauled into position, lying adjacent to the redeveloped town centre and Sunderland Polytechnic.
It weighed 800 tons and was so big that it covered three acres and was a large red-painted space-frame, supported by twelve four-columned concrete pylons.
It had polished stainless-steel cladding on the outside and attracted all sorts of comments.
Mayor of Sunderland, Coun Tony Burgham, spoke before laying the foundation stone of the centre.
He said that, when completed, it would make Sunderland unique in the country. It would be the nucleus of the recreational and educational facilities of the town and he added: “I think this centre is going to be a tremendous asset to the town. We have our problems, particularly in the field of unemployment but I think if we can show to the rest of the country the forward-looking authority we are, then I think we go a long way to resolving a lot of our problems.”
The ceremony was, he said, “the highlight” of his year in office and marked the beginnings of the birth of a magnificent project.
Mr R D Wynne Jones, for the consultant architects who designed the centre - Gillinson Barnett and Partners - said when it was completed it would be the biggest building in the North East. Only the hangar for the jumbo jets at London Airport could rival the roof span of the building.
The centre was eventually opened by Prince Charles in May 1978 and by November that year, 5 million people had already paid a visit.
The roof structure was so phenomenal that it was once famously described by Cllr Ralph Baxter as "the eighth wonder of the world".
The leisure centre was demolished between 2013 and 2015 following concerns over the condition of the roof and high maintenance costs.
By then it had welcomed countless millions of visitors who enjoyed everything from an ice rink to a sports hall, and a sauna to a swimming pool.
Tell us if you remember watching the roof taking shape 50 years ago. Email [email protected] to share your memories.