There were posters everywhere and everyone was talking about it. These proposals will necessitate significant investment but will enable us to rectify core issues that have compromised the integrity of the building in recent years, such . Custom Mountain home in Tehachapi CA.-2 hrs from LA or 2 hrs from Central Coast. Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. This was on the 2nd floor. Examples of their tools are kept at the Manx Museum. After a geotechnical team determined that the blocks could not be safely stabilised or removed, and that there was a risk they would fall into the buildings below, the site was scheduled for demolition. A survivor of the devastating Summerland fire on the Isle of Man which killed 50 people, including 15 from Merseyside and Cheshire, has made an emotional appeal for the three Liverpool friends who . On the night of the fire I had decided, for some unknown reason, to spend some time on the ASTROGLIDE (who remembers that ?) STORY. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. Humans colonised it by travelling by sea some time before 6500 BC. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. The pool was salt water and it made my eyes sting. The end of a holiday dream LOCATION From the Sea Terminal proceed the length of the Promenade. I was 17 and was working there at the time of the fire, it was total panic, the fire spread so fast and no body could get out due to the doors being locked, I managed to get my friend away safely but with all the panic going on around I ended up in a daze, I dont know how I got out but remember someone pulling me, I got out befor the first explosion went off. The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Isle of Man > Ramsey > Summerland > Semi-detached house for sale - 4 bedrooms . FOR SALE! 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. Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2SE Registered in the Isle of Man No. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. County: . Department of Community, Culture and Leisure announces future of Summerland site, Redevelopment of the Former Summerland Site - The Wave. The survivor and her mother were separated from her father and sister and stuck in the venue before being rescued through a window by firemen. 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. My Uncle and several other "big chaps" hurled themselves against the fire doors to break them down. A couple of the girls had been at the afternoon disco but were on their way back to the digs when the fire must have taken hold. [9] The building's open-plan design included many unblocked internal spaces that acted as chimneys, adding to the conflagration. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. The Manx Development Corporation is part of the strategy for realizing economic, social and environmental benefits through enabling full utilization of government owned land and property assets and acting as a catalyst for regeneration and repurposing of urban and brownfield sites. 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. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. It was my last night on the IOM with my BB Company from N Ireland. One survivor (who was a child at the time) remembered her father noticing smoke coming from the ventilation shaft and had started to attempt to evacuate when the whole area erupted in flames. We were first alerted to it by the noise from the fire engines.Looking out the window of the boarding house we saw the flames. Bid today! There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. The state-of-the-art facilities put the Isle of Man on the map as one of the most important tourist destinations in. It was indeed quite glamorous and I know for a fact my mum and dad spent more than a few romantic evenings there, (We kids got packed off to our grandparents house!) Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. My dad raised the alarm after I smelt smoke coming from a slot machine. [17], In October 2002, torrential rain caused damage to several structures, as well as two landslides behind Summerland which dislodged two 50-tonne concrete blocks that had once supported the roof of the original building, but had not been removed in the wake of the fire. Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. The venue was designed to hold 10,000 people in five floors and included swimming. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. We would spend alot of time up there because of the pool and because they could keep and eye on us and have a drink at the same time. 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. Behind the stage was the huge rock face. (The comedian/presenter on stage made a remark about there being "a chip pan on fire"). This page has been archived and is no longer updated. The Summerland disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man on the night of 2 August 1973. Reverse of the small poster is also in colour and lists all the many attractions.. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for LIGHTHOUSE DOUGLAS - ISLE OF MAN ( T30 ) at the best online prices at eBay! The building's exterior and the interior were designed by two different architectsthey did not coordinate their planning with each other and thereby created a venue with significant fire risks that were to become apparent only later. We actually visited the Summerland on the day of the fire, I can remember the night of the fire, we were staying in a hotel on the opposite end of the prom, I was there with my cousin and our Mum's and Dad's had gone out for the evening. 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. on the night of the summerland fire,my wife and mother and father inlaw (in there late seventies) plus myself with a wife who was expecting a child,were due to have a drink in the top bar as a fairwell to there holls before returning to liverpool next day, due to a strange event my wife hair rollers broke down so delaying by half an hour our departure.we stoped at the laxey filling station only to be told the complex was on fire!! I still remember the screams and panic, they haunt me to this day. Jade Harbour Restaurant. I was 17 and with my boyfriend at the time. Map. I made lots of friends both from the island and liverpool. This was on the 2nd floor. This button displays the currently selected search type. My dad played a lot of squash so I was always there watching him, well trying.. it took me years to be tall enough to see over from the spectators gallery properly.Every weekend it would either be rollerskating, swimming or the play area in the day and at night we would come back for the cabaret and more time in the play area.Through the week I would be in Summerland for 5-a-side football and swimming lessons with my school.For years I knew nothing about the fire but was told by my parents at a sensible age, from this moment on I wanted to know what the place looked like as their description made it sound out of this world and it was!I have spent many an hour researching everything Summerland.I have to admit I did feel very sad when I saw this place coming down.A newer more aesthetically pleasing version needs to be built, we need a more resourceful entertainment complex on the Island, everthing under one roof.. like Summerland! Mountain retreat in Southern California. The Isle of Man [1] ( Manx: Ellan Vannin) is an island in the British Isles, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. JaxuttonOK.What's with the 3 school-boys, what caused the fire?Accident or sabotage was an investigation carried out?Tell us more! Everywhere we went afterwards there was requests for blood donors it was so sad, and I think we were all glad to get home. CLOSED COMPLETELY! fire, which triggered a major change in fire regulations on the Island. Situated only a few minutes walk to the beach, harbour, shops and public transport. We would spend alot of time up there because of the pool and because they could keep and eye on us and have a drink at the same time. We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. The whole thing ended so tragically but it's important to remember the good times too. [1] [2] [3] Background Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. Firemen were already on the scene and ran past us with hoses. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. I decided to throw a wobbly and asked for a toy as I didn't want to go to the show - overtired! The scale of the fire has been compared to those seen during the Blitz. We went to a show to see the Black and White Minstrels, that's when I smelt smoke. 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. [1][2][3], Summerland was opened on 25 May 1971. Gray 2017 Keystone Summerland 2980 BH with 1 miles for sale at public car auctions in Carville LA on 03-07-2023. My legs went like jelly and the next thing I knew, flames shot up the sides of the windows. 34808 | VAT Registration Number: 001090349 Directors . When expanded it provides a list of search options that will switch the search inputs to match the current selection. I loved it so much and will always remember it . It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. 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. I've got used to passing the site & it not being there but from the boat, going in either direction it's still not the same. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. I remember walking past Summerland and seeing a rocking horse from a ride stood on its own. ! Meanwhile a group of three school boys on holiday from Liverpool was hanging around at the back of the building next to a section of a dismantled fibre-glass kiosk. I WILL RETURN AS THERE IS A KIND OF MAGIC ATTRACTION ABOUT THE ISLAND,I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER 'THE GEM IN THE IRISH SEA' WAYNE FORD, Crazy Carol, OnchanMoonwalk,rollerskating & swimming, just 3 of the things that kept myself, my brother & cousins entertained for hours. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. Everthing about that place was magical, everyone had a smile on their face & the atmosphere was exciting. Outside its raining yet here you are relaxed in your shirt sleeves, gently perspiring in a tropical 80 degrees.. 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. 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. [10], Because of the locked fire doors, many people headed to the main entrance, which caused a crush.[9]. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. At 8:00 p.m. on 2 August 1973, Summerland, a leisure centre on the Isle of Man as shown in Figure 1, was seen to be on fire. Summerland opened on 25 May 1971 and was designed to accommodate up to 10,000 tourists as one of the largest entertainment centres in the world. Located in the heart of Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, the complex was a landmark of the island, offering a wide range of attractions for both locals and visitors alike. Denis Cowley QC acted for the Douglas Corporation. A girl I met that night but got separated from in the panic died. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. My mum eventually took me and my sisters and I couldn't believe how new and lovely everything was. 8. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. Find average house prices, current average values, other historic property data & request a valuation from an estate agent. To experience Summerland at that time was special and afterall, what has the Government ever done since to improve our quality of life here in the IOM. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. 1. Phase I was the Julie was 14, and identified by her jewellery. You were certainly spoilt for choice - you could go swimming in 2 lovely new pools, rollerskate or play a multitude of sports in the massive sports hall, moonwalk in a big white type of enclosed bouncy castle (which like everything in there had a distinctive new smell). Locations. It is a British Crown dependency (and therefore not part of the United Kingdom itself); the UK is responsible for defence and foreign affairs. JacquiI remember winning a talent contest at Summerland when I was 6 years old.We went to the IOM every year for our summer holidays. I WILL RETURN AS THERE IS A KIND OF MAGIC ATTRACTION ABOUT THE ISLAND,I SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER 'THE GEM IN THE IRISH SEA' WAYNE FORD, Moonwalk,rollerskating & swimming, just 3 of the things that kept myself, my brother & cousins entertained for hours. Also had a vague recollection that the lads who were smoking near a kiosk which led to the fire, came from Liverpool. To experience Summerland at that time was special and afterall, what has the Government ever done since to improve our quality of life here in the IOM. I still remember those who died and those who lost loved ones. The complex At first we thought it was only a small fire but we soon became aware that it was a lot more serious. It was a climate-controlled building covering 3.5 acres (1.4ha) on Douglas's waterfront, consisting of 50,000sqft (4,600m2) of floor area constructed at a cost of 2 million. The Summerland disaster occurred when a fire spread through the Summerland leisure centre in Douglas on the Isle of Man on the night of 2 August 1973. Tehachapi, CA, US. Find it on the Isle of Man | Business, Restaurants, Classifieds, Events and more To access your webmail, click Sign In Find it on the Isle of Man Click here to sign into webmail What's On? We went to the shops on the prom and I still have Minnie the clockwork mouse to this day. We stayed for a week and on all of the 4 nights preceding the evening of the disaster I had been to the complex for a swim and play around with new-found friends. I remember the main floor in front of the stage with all the deck chairs & the straw umbrellas, the music, the talent shows. The centre reopened in June 1978. I used to love walking round the place & everytime it was just as amazing as the first time.Then in my teens & 20's & 30's going to the cave & upstairs for the TT events from TT supporters club meetings,to gigs & tyre balancing. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. The panic started and we all headed for the fire exit down the steps, only to find the doors were locked. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. It does not take away from the fact that it was for a few years, a great place to be. 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. Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. 8 ISLE OF MAN EXAMINER www.iomtoday.co.im Tuesday, June 27, 2017 BUILDINGS AT RISK Heritage: A look at the Castle Mona Hotel s history S A newsdesk@iomtoday.co.im Twi er: @iomnewspapers The journey from the jewel in Douglas s crown to an eyesore A nyone who knows the song The Ugly Duck - ling will know that the bird in Follow on beyond Summerland and Port Jack. But I was young and my family did not let me know about it. For me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. August ISLE of MAN "SUMMERLANDS DOUGLAS" DESTROYED BY FIRE 2nd AUGUST 1973 POSTED 1974 Street Cars Derby Vehicles Swiss Derby Castle before Summerland was demolished J Judith B summerland isle of man August 2013 My Heritage 40th Anniversary Birth Gem Sidewalk Memories 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. I survived that terrible disaster. We spent alot of time in Summerland it was a great venue for all the family. This part of the building was clad in a material called Galbestos: profiled steel sheeting with asbestos felt on both sides coated with bitumen,[5][8] with no fire-resistant qualities. My uncle saw someone he knew from our home town (Widnes) whose hotel was closer than ours, and he was able to phone family at home to say we were OK just as the story was coming on the news.We were all OK, apart from my uncle's cracked ribs from charging at the fire door, but the horror of the evening is still with me such that even lighting a candle is something I struggle to do and I always check out fire exits when I'm somewhere new. I was 9 at the time of the Summerland fire and on holiday with my Mum and Dad staying at the Granada Hotel as we always did then. I remember hearing a woman shouting "My God, my children are in there", which I still find a bone-chilling thought. Summerland. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Isle of Man: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399644 at the best online prices at eBay! I wondered why she was fussing me so much and so upset, after all, I was fine. We came back to the island the year after the fire and we stayed in Oncan. [11], One survivor wrote about her experiences from the fire in a book entitled Made in Summerland, which was published in July 2018.[12]. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. 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. 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. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. The first drawings materialised in 1965 but hundreds were drafted out before building work actually started.