Ruins of Summerland - Douglas, Isle of Man
Posted by: Mike_bjm
N 54° 10.033 W 004° 27.541
30U E 404748 N 6003110
West wall of the former liesure centre 'Summerland' off King Edward Road, Derby Castle, Douglas
Waymark Code: WMVEEJ
Location: Isle of Man
Date Posted: 04/08/2017
Views: 1
Summerland was the scene on 2 August 1973 of the worst British peace time disaster involving fire since 1929. The Summerland leisure centre opened in 1971 was badly damaged by the fire which had spread rapidly through the building which had used highly flammable materials.
Its charred steel skeleton remains were demolished in 1975 and then rebuilt on a smaller scale, construction commenced in 1976, with a smaller area of glass than the original, and a highly advanced fire extinguisher and alarm system The centre reopened in 1977, however it was closed in 2004 and was demolished in 2005.
The west wall was not however demolished as there were concerns that this would cause the adjacent cliff to collapse. This is the remnant that still remains today.
The west wall today is used as a roost by many birds who make use of the may flat surfaces and the portection afford by the vetical sections of the old building.
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