Now I have my own kids of my age at the time of the disaster, I know why. (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.) Such a happy reunion but such a terribly sad sad time. Douglas Corporation, aided by grants from the Isle of Man Government, spent 1.5 million on the building and more cash was provided by The International Trust House Forte group who had taken Summerland LTD on as a subsidiary. The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted. 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. Ricky Rooney, DouglasFor me, Summerland was the hub of all my childhood memories, I would be there at least 4 times a week. His solution was to design an artificial centre of sunshine and it had to be spectacular enough to compete with the growing threat of cheap foreign holidays. The Summerland site is to go on sale after Manx government attempts to find a private development partner failed. We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. Those were the days. 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. When they couldnt locate me they began their search for me on the prom. But I have fond memories of summerland and I to did win the talent competion in summerland. Just then I distinctly remember seeing a small flicker of light at the base of the building on the West side thinking it was someone with a torch or something, as it was getting dusky. I was so sad when the tragedy happened and still feel sad when I drive past the now empty site. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. 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! I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. This was on the 2nd floor. 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 . The first responding fire crews realised additional resources would be required and almost every resource available to the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service was mobilised to the incident (93 of its 106 firefighters and all 16 of its engines). With the help of the government and Trust House Forte Leisure Ltd the 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. I was one of the worst things that has ever happened on our small Island and none of us will ever forget the event. Game & Entertainment Centers. 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. "Excellent! The west wall remains intact as there is concern that its removal may cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. RM R8WF63 - Oil wells drilled into the bed of the Pacific ocean at Summerland, between Santa Barbara and Los Angleles, California, United States of America, c. 1915. My parents had gone for a drink and I was looking after myself on my own in the safety that was 1973 in the fantastic Isle of Man. I was 5 at the time. Property reference . 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. In the summer everyone enjoyed the talent competitions which were great fun. The fire services were not called for over 20 minutes,[5] and even then the call did not originate from Summerland. Siobhan McHaleWe had a family holiday on the IoM when I was 6. What a great place. Looking at the picture of the pool makes me sad!! Only three Solaria existed at the time: Chicago, Japan and Switzerland. 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. While children were entertained in the theatre, parents could relax upstairs. I think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. The conflagration took place on 2 August 1973 in this ambitious entertainment complex in Douglas, Isle of Man, commissioned in 1965 and opened in May 1971. We were in Summerland on the night of the fire, as we had been most evenings. 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. There were 7 floors in total and the building had a capacity for 5 thousand people. Brings back great memories of times spent on the island. I remember going there as a 6 year old. A period semi-detached double fronted town house built circa 1864, set along a quiet cul-de-sac, yet within easy walking distance of the shops and cafes of Parliament Street. Canada Revenue 1/5 Excise Tax Matchbook "SUMMERLAND GROCETERIA" West Summerland C$10.00 Seller: DeveneyStamps ( 4410 ) Bid today! I was on holiday at the IOM with a group of girl friends the week of the Summerland fire. 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! A recent trip to Isle of Man brought back many happy memories but I was sad to see that not only had Summerlands closed but the building was completly gone.Some people said I was daft as there was no pool on the prominade but my memories of that place will never disappear. Summerland 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. Continue along King Edward Road beyond the new offices of Royal Skandia. Andy, LiverpoolAs kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. My Mum and I started to go towards a spiral staircase which led towards the main entrance but my uncle steered us further along the gallery to where there were fire exits leading to the swimming pool area. There is also significant attic. I went to the Isle of Man after the fire and never heard of the fire until recently. panels dropping in flames onto the ground and I guess, people below. It took me a long time to go on holiday again. My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week. xx. This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. I've just seen that picture of the pool with the rows of spectator seats and it brought it all back to me.I remember the next year when the fire happened because we were packing for our holiday to Anglesea when the news broke. When we finally reached the bottom the firemen were there to guide us out and just as we got outside, the whole place was engulfed by fire. 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. Lots of wildlife viewing!! We were there the night before the fire, we just thatought the "moving staircase" by the front door was the best thing ever. We found them distraught watching the flames as they thought we were in the building. ISLE OF MAN: Summerland Entertainment Center - Vintage Photograph 1399665 - 12.48. I will never forget the screams and people climbing over each other to get out. Her Name was Julie Panter, and her friend Dawn Ellingham wrote to me to tell me this. Its charred steel skeletal remains were demolished in 1975 and then rebuilt on a smaller scale, construction commencing in 1976, with a smaller area of glass than the original, and a highly advanced fire extinguisher and alarm system. 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 first drawings materialised in 1965 but hundreds were drafted out before building work actually started. Seacroft, 3 Summerland, Ramsey. 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 burnt out remains of the centre in September 1973, one month after the fire. There were cafes and bars to relax in when you needed a drink. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. Gallery Click to Enlarge. I was 13 when summerland went on fire i still remember that night clearly my mum and i had told my dad that we were going to summerland while he went to the villa marine to watch wrestling but just before the bus stopped we changed our mind and went to white city we had just got into white city when we were told summerland was on fire we had to walk all the way round onchan to get back to the prom its a scene you will never forget seeing people jumping into the sea to get away from the flames even when we came home on the boat your were reminded again as we had to wait until all the coffins were taken of first as a mark of respect. 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. [7] The coastguard immediately called the fire brigade. The site on King Edward Road in Douglas has remained unused since the complex was. From Wonderful California, published 1915. 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. The Summerland concept was new and made the Isle of Man complex unique in the British Isles when the building opened in 1971. Sharon BridsonI was 12 that year. It was so colourful and had such a happy and relaxed atmosphere. [16], Soon after the disaster, John Hinnigan was brought in from Blackburn fire and rescue to become the new chief. On the third attempt, my uncle's door came open and several others followed. Overview. 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. 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 think they must have broken through a back wall or something to get there. Property description & features. Location: Doolish; Share; Posted July 3, 2008. . is now owned and operated by the Department of Tourism and Leisure. I think it would be appropriate and (hopefully) not too disrespectful to the people who passed away there. 8. 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. keith jamiesonI 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. NOTHING! As kids we used to holiday in the Isle of Man either at port St Mary or Peel. I remember seeing balls of fire dropping from the top of the structure this was the so-called inflammable Oraglass (?) Those were the days. We got out past the swimming pool - as a lady carrying some keys ran towards the doors to unlock them. Most of week had been spent at the evening disco and I still have photos and the weekly ticket from our good times there. They went to give bloood and looked for my brother and sister on the way. 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. Fifty people were killed and 80 seriously injured. I hope you'll find it a useful means of info as to the current status of the site; my hopes for the Isle of Man Government to develop a memorial space there dedicated to the 50 killed in the fire of 2nd August 1973; the one minute's silence I organise on the anniversary of the fire; the Summerland Memorial Concert held each year; together with links and blogs. STORY. IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS IMS VINTAGE PHOTOS THIS IS AN ORIGINAL VINTAGE 394351480931 Feb 22, 2021 - Manx Electric Railway 26 a 1898 GF Milnes crossbench tram at Derby Castle terminus in Douglas about to push crossbench trailer 56 back to the depot past the rebuilt Summerland on 14 July 1978. 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. The island was cut off from the surrounding islands around 8000 BC as sea levels rose following the end of the ice age. sammy hamiltonI worked in Summerland a week before it burnt down. SUMMERLAND, DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN. 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). This, coupled with the constant sirens of emergency vehicles, is what made this the worst night of my life. The Summerland building in Douglas was the first of its kind in the world. I feel there should always be something incorporated into whatever is built or put on the site to commemmorate the people who died. I loved it so much and will always remember it . My parents had been to the site of the fire thinking I was in there as I had been all week.