Tropicana: Where do we go from here?

Published in Weston and Worle News on Thu 25th Nov 2004

Big question marks remained over the future of the Tropicana in Weston after North Somerset councillors failed this week to decide on a course of action for the derelict seafront building.

During a lengthy debate that didn't finish until midnight, councillors considered a number of options for the site - including giving developers another two years to come up with commercial proposals.

They rejected this idea, and a suggestion to involve Weston Town Council put forward by its leader David Evans.

Instead, councillors narrowly supported a proposal by Cllr Alan Hockridge, essentially to keep all options open, yet again.

Researching these options will cost £70,000 in consultancy fees.

Specialist agents will be appointed to market the Tropicana on terms to be agreed by the leader and deputy leader.

Council officials will carry out feasibility studies, including costings for refurbishing the Tropicana as a seasonal outdoor pool, building an indoor leisure pool, returning the site to beach or demolishing it to leave a plinth.

The public will be consulted on these options, and a report will then be presented to council by June next year.

Officials will also carry out a feasibility study for bringing back into temporary use sections of the buildings next to Marine Parade, and the removal of hoardings and renovation of the facade.

The council already has costs for a number of these options.

A covered pool would cost £6.7 million, and an open pool £2.7 million, with an annual £240,000 subsidy.

Returning to sand would cost £1 million and demolition to a plinth around £500,000.

When MACE was given its final deadline in September, the council set up a working party to look at other options for the site should the deal fail.

But at Tuesday's meeting, one councillor admitted the group hadn't worked as well as originally planned.

Cllr Derek Kraft said: "In the first three meetings we made excellent progress, but then we descended into paralysis analysis.

"Then there has been the farce of leaks in the Press and statements from the leader of the town council."

Cllr John Crockford-Hawley said: "It is my belief the majority of residents who have an opinion would favour a covered swimming pool, like the Sedgemoor Splash in Bridgwater

"I do know the public is sick and tired of inaction.

"They don't want a cinema, or bowling, housing, MACE or Chaos.

"A plinth would be utterly useless - a huge concrete block covered in mud and seaweed - and demolishing it for £1 million would achieve precisely nothing."

Cllr Mike Bell said: "This is all based on the fundamental misapprehension you can do something for nothing, which has been the problem with this since day one.

"It's about time we made a decision.

"This council is content to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic, but does nothing to stop the ship from sinking."