Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. There was a lot of excited anticipation before it opened. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! I loved it so much and will always remember it . 'I need to speak to the three Liverpool friends who started the The burning kiosk collapsed against the exterior of the building. The centre reopened in June 1978. 30 Mar 2023 - 05 Apr 2023 +. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. When we noticed the black smoke to one end of the building - and the crowds looking in that direction - we started to move towards the exit. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. [19][20], On other anniversaries of the disaster many memorials take place, such as a memorial concert and a moment of silence at the location which is now a vacant site. County: . [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. We hadn't had decent swimming baths for a long time in Douglas and for that reason alone I couldn't wait to get in and have a look. We went back when they rebuilt it but it didn't have the same atmosphere & at first people almost seemed to be looking over their shoulders as if they were waiting for something to happen, it was strange. It was all shining, it even smelt new. complex was rebuilt in 1976 and opened again in 1978. It bears the names of those killed in the fire and is set into a circle of paving, alongside a stone laid earlier to mark the 25th anniversary. Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. On the night of the fire my Mum and Dad were taking me to see the Black & White minstrels, my much older brother and sister didn't want to go and went on the prom. House prices in Summerland, Ramsey, Isle of Man IM8 - Zoopla On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) I was too young to realise what had happened but it makes me feel cold now. on arrival above somerland we couldnt beleve the whole building was an infurno (just where we would have been had we not been delayed)we left the site not beleving such a tragity could be hapening to those poor people,and by the grace of god spared us.with the passing of time and no disrespect to those who loved ones perished or were injured i beleve that summerland was a fabulous venue of the time and should be under another name be reserected for the people of the island and visitors alike,the past is the past and nothing can remain a stain of the building/archetects or goverment who built it in good faith and by unforcene events that happend.the island needs a new complex to invest in tourisem and for the island people to enjoy in these hard days ahead bring life back to the island as it was before the doom and gloom merchants moved in.being a stopover from the late 60s and with three children who were born here i personaly would like to see an indoor complex such as summerland revived. Plans for first phase of Castle Mona restoration submitted - Tevir Group (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). mike howarthI was at summerland in august 1973,and went to the groovey disco underneath,but it seemed a bit lacking in atmosphere compared to the clubs in Manchester.I was also in Douglas when Summerland set on fire and joined the long queue of people donating blood for the victims. Majestic Apartments can be found a short distance along on the right hand side. It was a tragedy but the happy memories as a child are still vivid even in my late 40's.My thoughts are with those who lost someone dear xx. It wasn't until we were on the promenade at a safe distance that I looked back to see the building completely engulfed in flames. I will never forget her and that night that I nearly died.Sincerely John McGimpsey, Newtownards N Ireland. It was a lovely place but it's so sad the way it all ended. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man - YouTube Hello, and welcome again to Places - Lost in Time, a series that looks back on the tale of places and locations that have. Experts searching the wreckage. Latest Truck Driver Job Vacancies in Canada in 2022: A certified truck driver is qualified to use for every one of the work placements around right here. Now it's completely gone & it is a shame but they will hopefully put something back there for the manx & visitors to enjoy & make their amemories last a lifetime too. Johnny, LaxeySummerland was such a great place to hang out and I would guess that most of the Isle of Man population that was around at the time of the fire is still in shock. Then with my children to manxland,their first birthday parties, my sisters-in-laws fashion shows & watching cousin's children do ballroom dancing & they're just a handfull of memories!Summerland was a one off & while the Villa Marina is a part of our islands history & heritage, there will never be another place like Summerland - it's in a league of it's own. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. I stood on the prom looking over at the Summerland complex contemplating whether to give it a go or not. There are more than 2 filming locations on our site. (Good move as it happens - I understood later that about 12 people were found dead at the bottom of that staircase, which I seem to recall did not have proper handrails round it, being largely decorative.) I was 7 and on holiday with family,that inluded aunts,uncles and cousins.A lot of us had been holdaying in Douglas that week and we spent a lot of time in Summerland.It was a great place to spend the day.It had all the ammenities ,everything you wanted was there,a funfare ,indoor heated swimming pool,indoor amusement arcade.It had bars,a disco's everything.On the night of the fire, we just finished our evening meal in our hotel and we began walking up Douglas promenade ,going towards Summerland,when we noticed smoke billowing up from behind the building,the next instant the entire building was engulfed in flames.I remember seeing people pouring out of the building,some were on fire,it was horrific.We were standing some distance away and I could not take my eyes off it.The explosions from the burning building boomed across Douglas bay.I had never seen so many injured people before and it is something that I wll never forget.The following morning we all cut our holiday short and returned home,as the ferry was leaving Douglas we all stood on the boat deck ,staring at the burnt out shell of Summerland.Have never been back to IOM since that terrible fire. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. The Summerland leisure complex in the Isle of Man, a popular tourist destination for many years, closed its doors for the last time in 2018. Summerland was an odd mix of styles: one half light, airy and modern; the other windowless and concrete. David ButteryI was 16 at the time of the fire, like many teeagers in Douglas we spent most of our evenings and many a wet day at Summerland.We could occasionally get served in the bars and if not we roller skated on the big rink downstairs.The night of the fire we had left Summerland to go to the stock cars at Onchan stadium, we got as far as the Catholic church in Oncan park when we saw a thin column of black smoke and people began to gather at the cliff top overlooking the site.We ran across the golf course watching the smoke grow, by the time we reached the cliff, half of the seaward wall of Summerland was blazing with a thick sheet of jet black smoke rising hundreds of feet.From our viewpoint we watched the fire spread over the huge oroglas canopy and saw thousands of people pouring out of the doors.When the events of 9/11 were shown on tv it reminded me of Douglas prom that night, teeming with shocked people and emergency vehicles flying up and down.We ended up in the Granada hotel trying to phone our parents to tell them we were ok but the phones were busy.The next morning the whole town stank of burnt plastic and vans instead of ambulannces ferried the dead to a makeshift mortuary.I didn't loose anyone and I dont have nightmares, but it was a dark part of my childhood and a memory that is still often in my thoughts. I remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. The plans took years to finalise. The decor made it look like a tropical fairyland in places with the waterfall which looked like it was tumbling into the building from where the cliff-face was at the rear of the building. The Isle of Man is located in the middle of the northern Irish Sea, Isle of Man to the east, Northern Ireland to the west, Scotland (closest) to the north and Republic of Ireland to the southwest. We had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. LizAlthough I remember when the fire happened (as a relative was working there that evening and thankfully survived), my happy memories are also quite vivid as I used to go there many times, especially during school holidays. My Mum persuaded me not to stay any longer in the childrens' play area in the basement, so we returned to the gallery area overlooking the stage/dancefloor to join my brother and uncle. It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. I was 12 that year. The fire quickly spread across the sheeting on the leisure centre walls and roof, and through vents which were not properly fireproofed. I would like to see an ice-skating rink there (which the Island needs). Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) xx. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. i loved summerland it was amazing the play area and the skating the swim baths and all shame the way things went, HI, I PLAYED THE SUMMERLAND DISCO WITH MY BAND 'ROCOCO' THE YEAR BEFORE THE FIRE,I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO REMEMBERS 'ROCOCO' I HAVE SOME VERY FOND MEMORIES OF MY TIME THERE, I HAVE VISITED THE ISLAND ONCE SINCE THEN,QUITE BY CHANCE IT WAS THE YEAR BEFORE THE DEMOLITION TOOK PLACE,BUT I SUPPOSE I COULD SAY GOODBYE. Mass Cholera Grave in Douglas. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. After a couple of hours frozen to the spot I remember seeing my Mum running towards me and picking me up, crying and hugging me as if she hadnt seen me in years or something. The year before the fire we were taken to Summerland to watch a syncronised swimming display. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. There were two phases in the building At the time Summerland was one of the most. The Summerland site today is in the ownership of the Isle of Man Government, derelict for 12 years and for sale for 10 years until January 2018 when it was taken off the market. I do recall entering a talent competition and singing 'I'm a little teapot'. BBC - Isle of Man - History - Where the sun always shines I'll never forget the tragedy and the emptiness we felt after that horrific day. Following many goes on the slide (the attendant was very friendly and let me have many free rides!) While many escaped the inferno unharmed, the incident claimed 50 lives and seriously injured 80. 6. vox pops boys re. The fire spread to the wall's interior soundproofing material, which was highly combustible, causing an intense fire that ignited the flammable acrylic sheeting that covered the rest of the building. Summerland was rebuilt, but staff and visitors to the site reported the sounds of screaming, hearing footsteps along empty passages, and occasionally seeing ghostly people wandering around the area. Places - Lost in Time: Summerland Centre, Isle of Man Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. PDF "The - Summerland Fire Disaster [11] Around 80 people were seriously injured in the resulting crush and fire and received physical and mental scars. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world and its state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map.