VIDEO: IMAX demolition finally starts (From Thisisdorset)
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VIDEO: IMAX demolition finally starts
6:10am Saturday 16th February 2013 in Latest By Katie Clark
Going, going, gone....
BOURNEMOUTH’S Imax building was torn apart on Friday morning signalling the beginning of the end for the Waterfront structure.
The demolition of the four-storey glass structure was greeted with a small round of applause by watching members of the public and councillors, gathered at the seafront to see the symbolic spectacle.
The event saw the entire front atrium pulled apart by the large demolition machine revealing the skeleton of the building inside.
Over the past few months the building has already been stripped, with the demolition of
the main building due to continue next week.
The removal of the structure will open up the sea views that existed between the demolition of
the pier approach swimming baths in 1986 and the construction of the Waterfront in 1998.
Bournemouth council had sought to keep the details of today's event under embargo because it did not want to attract the general public for health and safety reasons.
But Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood took to Twitter to announce: “Place to be: Bnmth Pier 8.45am this Fri for anyone wanting to witness the long overdue demolition of the IMAX!”
Bournemouth Council bought the building for £6.5million in 2010 and began evicting tenants
ready for demolition.
The entire building should be gone by the end of March.
Former Bournemouth resident Jo Gosling said she had come all the way from Bristol to witness
the start of the demolition.
“I used to live and work in Bournemouth. It’s just an eyesore and I’m glad to see the back of it”, she said.
See inside the Imax as it was, browse our archive of pictures through the years and read all our coverage at bournemouthecho.co.uk/imax
The council said yesterday: “The general public can view the start of the deconstruction works via the live webcam at bournemouth.gov.uk/waterfront but are asked not to attend the deconstruction site on Friday to see the start of works for health and safety reasons.”
Senior heritage librarian at Bournemouth Libraries, Peter Kazmierczak said he wanted to preserve the moment for future generations.
“I’ve just come down to film the event. It’s really interesting because there has always been a building on this site. I actually got to go inside the building once it had closed after seeing it in the Daily Echo. It was really eerie. I just think it is interesting to preserve the moment for the people of Bournemouth.”
Bournemouth council leader John Beesley said it was a symbolic day for the people of Bournemouth.
“I think it is a very good day the latest stage in the demolition”, he said.
“We have been taking the building down inside since November 5 but the first concert is in June so there is a lot of work to do.
The planned events space that will replace the IMAX
“Such a lot of people have been desperate to see the building come down and today is the first
time they can see it actually happening.
“We have been working very hard in the building. The reclaimable value is somewhere in the 90 per cent area. It has all got a value.
“What we are seeing today is a tiny percentage and most of what will be coming down will be recycled.
“We are in the depths of the longest and deepest property recession anybody can remember and that is how we were able to buy the building.
“We are putting together a scheme which will last until the private sector can come forward
for the funding for a much bigger development.”
But Cllr Carol Ainge, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Bournemouth council said: “I find it very hard to accept that after the consultation with the residents of Bournemouth, who wanted the building to be lowered and an all weather facility put there, we have now ended up with a slab of concrete open to the elements, at a huge cost of what I believe could be approximately in excess of £8.5million.
“We will have to hope that the weather stays fine if this is to be successful.
“I just would have loved to have seen something useable in all-weathers.”
Save the Imax
Two lone protestors from the campaign group Save the Imax said they had come down to remind everybody of the “waste of money” taking place.
Holding signs saying “Tory Town Wreckers” and “Imax Day of Shame”, the duo – Brian Jenner and Sally Wilton - were berated by a member of public, prompting a debate about their protest.
Brian Jenner, who is heading the campaign, claims it is a “grotesque waste” to spend millions of public money on destroying it, says it should be used as a cinema or conference facility.
“There could have been lots of different uses for this building, without millions being spent on destroying it”, he said.
But Poole resident, Stephen Bailey, called the building horrendous and said it was “completely incompetent” allowing it to be built in the first place.
“Something’s got to be done about it. It’s the most ugly building that was ever allowed to come on the seafront”, he told the pair.
Bye Bye Imax
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Comments(40)
Net Turner
says...
9:45am Fri 15 Feb 13
Holland82
says...
10:07am Fri 15 Feb 13
baxtar01
says...
10:18am Fri 15 Feb 13
Molecatcher
says...
11:17am Fri 15 Feb 13
Bob49
says...
11:42am Fri 15 Feb 13
Holland82 wrote:Well, it would be rather difficult to built flats on top on the Imax, as they have stated.
What an absolute waste. Spending £6.5m of public money to knock down a prefectly fit building. Next week the council will be talking about more cut backs to meet budgets no doubt.
Or 'comprehensive redevelopment of the area' as they term it.
there was talk months and months before they admitted what they were doing with that and the adjoining car park - and given the accuracy of previous 'information' I have no reason to doubt that 'comprehensive redevelopment involves flats.
muscliffman
says...
12:55pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Holland82 wrote:£6.5 million?? £8.5million they already admit too - probably will be closer to £10million if you scratch below the Town Hall covers.
What an absolute waste. Spending £6.5m of public money to knock down a prefectly fit building. Next week the council will be talking about more cut backs to meet budgets no doubt.
But accoding to Bournemouth Council media people the Imax is not being demolished. The building is being 'deconstructed' - so that makes it alright then! (Although quite how they will reconstruct smashed windows I await with interest.)
One day in the future this whole saga may well be more widely recognised for what it could well be - a public finance iregularity of substantial proportions.
Nothing to do with a handful of vocal people's precious (£10m !) view, but all about a future private 'comprehensive redevelopment' already known to a select and powerful few - which needed the Imax out of the way.
born2bongo
says...
1:00pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Holland82 wrote:The waste was when they built it. Now we have to spend the money to repair the damage.
What an absolute waste. Spending £6.5m of public money to knock down a prefectly fit building. Next week the council will be talking about more cut backs to meet budgets no doubt.
Next thing we have to do is make sure that hideous tent on the open air venue gets taken down after every gig.
Why this council is so opposed to the natural beauty of the bay is beyond me
SwashDiver
says...
1:19pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Linguist
says...
1:25pm Fri 15 Feb 13
born2bongo wrote:born2bongo - If you go a few hundred yards either side of the pier, you will find approximately 3 miles (east & west) of road where you can sit and admire the view.
Holland82 wrote:The waste was when they built it. Now we have to spend the money to repair the damage.
What an absolute waste. Spending £6.5m of public money to knock down a prefectly fit building. Next week the council will be talking about more cut backs to meet budgets no doubt.
Next thing we have to do is make sure that hideous tent on the open air venue gets taken down after every gig.
Why this council is so opposed to the natural beauty of the bay is beyond me
wonderway
says...
1:27pm Fri 15 Feb 13
if this is true then council are in breach of health and safty regulations by not ensuring adequate protect to the general public.
muscliffman
says...
2:06pm Fri 15 Feb 13
born2bongo wrote:But 'they' did not build it. The Imax was built with private venture money - not our public money.
Holland82 wrote:The waste was when they built it. Now we have to spend the money to repair the damage.
What an absolute waste. Spending £6.5m of public money to knock down a prefectly fit building. Next week the council will be talking about more cut backs to meet budgets no doubt.
Next thing we have to do is make sure that hideous tent on the open air venue gets taken down after every gig.
Why this council is so opposed to the natural beauty of the bay is beyond me
It was a private and profit motivated build, as will doubtless be the loosely acknowledged (but probably equally substantial?) replacement.
Circa £10million of public money has been used to facilitate ONLY the purchase and clearance of the site with this now admitted 'future comprehensive (but again private) redevelopment' pending.
If the Imax building could have been easily adapted for up-market flats I do indeed wonder if it might have survived!
KLH
says...
4:17pm Fri 15 Feb 13
MikeFrench
says...
4:19pm Fri 15 Feb 13
..
elaine191261
says...
5:06pm Fri 15 Feb 13
saynomore
says...
5:29pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Bob49
says...
5:53pm Fri 15 Feb 13
saynomore wrote:dearie, dear me
A criminal waste of money pulling down a perfectly usable reasonaby new building when services and funding for more important things are being cut,just for a "view" that was not there in first place wait for the increased local council tax bills.
what part of the council's open admittance that the site has been cleared for redevelopment don't you get ?
the 'view' is merely a temporary byproduct of this intent, not it's reason
ps as to the Nautilus I wouldn't hold your breathe on that one
sally carmen
says...
7:04pm Fri 15 Feb 13
saynomore
says...
7:42pm Fri 15 Feb 13
Bob49 wrote:Do read the posts in full before you reply, my point was the waste of funds which part of that did you not understand.so try not to go off on a tangent.
saynomore wrote:dearie, dear me
A criminal waste of money pulling down a perfectly usable reasonaby new building when services and funding for more important things are being cut,just for a "view" that was not there in first place wait for the increased local council tax bills.
what part of the council's open admittance that the site has been cleared for redevelopment don't you get ?
the 'view' is merely a temporary byproduct of this intent, not it's reason
ps as to the Nautilus I wouldn't hold your breathe on that one
Yankee1
says...
10:10pm Fri 15 Feb 13
born2bongo wrote:Well, in a few years there will be a lovely view of the wind farm.
Holland82 wrote:The waste was when they built it. Now we have to spend the money to repair the damage.
What an absolute waste. Spending £6.5m of public money to knock down a prefectly fit building. Next week the council will be talking about more cut backs to meet budgets no doubt.
Next thing we have to do is make sure that hideous tent on the open air venue gets taken down after every gig.
Why this council is so opposed to the natural beauty of the bay is beyond me
EGHH
says...
6:38am Sat 16 Feb 13
Ref wind farms. I used to holiday in North Wales and you could see the North Hoyle wind farm. Didn't prevent me from admiring the view. I advise those who protest to go to North Wales and see how little impact an offshore wind farm has.
Wilkie
says...
7:26am Sat 16 Feb 13
Incidently, re the 'Pier Approach Baths Site', I did write to the council in 2010 suggesting that they look into developing a complex of outdoor and indoor thermal pools on the site, heated by geothermal energy. The basis of this was that the geothermal aquifer resource beneath the Bournemouth area within the Wessex Basin appears to be one of the most attractive in the UK for future exploration and the experience of the Southampton Geothermal Company, who are already tapping into it, could be drawn on. Such a pioneering scheme may be able to get some form of government grant to assist in funding. See the link below for an example of such a complex in Budapest, which has been one of the major attractions for me in my travels across Europe and has particular appeal in the Winter:
http://www.szechenyi
bath.com
Wilkie
says...
8:55am Sat 16 Feb 13
https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=27iV7Ljy
ZyY
coypondboy
says...
9:15am Sat 16 Feb 13
Avengerboy
says...
10:43am Sat 16 Feb 13
Eddie's dog
says...
11:27am Sat 16 Feb 13
Wilkie wrote:I am very impressed with this idea - it would be an incredible success I am sure; preferably outside only - a bit like the thermal 'baths' in Iceland; (or the football changing rooms back in the sixties.........).
EGHH, funny enough, I was remarking to someone yesterday how awful the windfarms look as you drive the North Wales coast.
Incidently, re the 'Pier Approach Baths Site', I did write to the council in 2010 suggesting that they look into developing a complex of outdoor and indoor thermal pools on the site, heated by geothermal energy. The basis of this was that the geothermal aquifer resource beneath the Bournemouth area within the Wessex Basin appears to be one of the most attractive in the UK for future exploration and the experience of the Southampton Geothermal Company, who are already tapping into it, could be drawn on. Such a pioneering scheme may be able to get some form of government grant to assist in funding. See the link below for an example of such a complex in Budapest, which has been one of the major attractions for me in my travels across Europe and has particular appeal in the Winter:
http://www.szechenyi
bath.com
BmthNewshound
says...
12:01pm Sat 16 Feb 13
SwashDiver wrote:An update on the Nautilus project is well overdue. In July 2012 the Council gave Osborne more time to secure funding. Osborne has until the end of this year to get the money or the Council can pull the plug. Since then no further news from Osborne but confirmation that the rival West Central scheme looks as if it is going ahead. Its hard to see how a town the size of Bournemouth can support two similar cinema/restaurant schemes within a few hundred yards of each other.
I quite agree with Muscliffman; the REAL reason this is coming down is to open up the view for Trevor Osborne's proposed 'dog poo' shaped building opposite. Hence why involving the public re: their ideas for possible re-use of it was completely pointless - it was never going to happen.
.
As the residents of Bath will testify Osborne may talk the talk but when it comes to actually raising the finance and getting on with the job he can’t deliver.
.
As for the Imax site. The decision to buy and demolish the building was a political stunt by former council leader Charon and Beesley to buy votes. It also suits Beesleys town centre vision to hand over prime town centre sites to enable private property developers to line their pockets.
Tom 'Boscombe' Jones
says...
12:45pm Sat 16 Feb 13
BIGTONE
says...
1:25pm Sat 16 Feb 13
The camera is bleached out with a bit of sun.
Says to me all the cams are Mickey Mouse build quality.
guisselle
says...
4:30pm Sat 16 Feb 13
for Frankenstein!
Chiqqy
says...
6:00pm Sat 16 Feb 13
Azphreal
says...
6:43pm Sat 16 Feb 13
sea poole
says...
7:19pm Sat 16 Feb 13
KLH
says...
8:01pm Sat 16 Feb 13
I go to Aruba for that now, and that is just as pleasant, preferably before it gets busy!
The Seasider
says...
8:26pm Sat 16 Feb 13
The Imax may have cost about £10 million plus to buy back and demolish... but if what comes after is worthwhile and befitting of this site, then it WILL be become a financially astute decision. Because the next attraction will continue to bring in visitors and business for decades to come. In time, the waste of a few million will seem a pittance in comparison to the prosperity that followed.
Imagine Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, St. Pauls, the Eden Project, then tell me: how much did they cost? Then tell me: how much pleasure have they brought? How many visitors have come to see them? How much money has been generated by them? The longer the attraction is running, the more economical sense it makes. The only way to have something which captivates the public and keeps them coming back day in day out, decade after decade, for centuries, is by having a great piece of ARCHITECTURE. A building which ticks a few boxes at the time will not stand the test of time. It needs to have real quality, be unique, exciting and of relevance to the area.
This is what constantly amazes me; people have no problem appreciating beauty in people, landscape scenery, art, cars, motorbikes, consumer gadgets etc.- but when it comes to buildings, it all goes out of the window in favour of maximum square footage at minimum cost.
Bournemouth is a tourist town with millions of visitors annually. It needs to be an all singing, all dancing, place of pleasure. The beach, gardens and general environment of central Bournemouth is pleasant- but there are exceptions. The worst building by far is the Imax. It needed to be demolished. As mentioned above if the building was somewhere else, say Castlepoint/ Tower Park/ any trading estate, and used as offices/ storage/ retail etc., then fine. Nobody would care less. These anonymous dreary environments have no glamour and no expectations of quality. But some places are better than that- and require a lot more effort and thought. Central Bournemouth is such a place.
Imagine the Imax building being plonked down in the middle of Bath, or Exeter next to the cathedral, or Christchurch, nestled up against the Priory. There would be riots! Its only then, when up against something really good, do you begin to see what a ghastly piece of junk this building is.
The bean counters need to appreciate: life is not lived on a balance sheet or a profit and loss account. Life is lived and experienced in the real physical world. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. So lets look forward to creating a thing of beauty on this site! Then they will come, see, spend, and a mere £10 million will seem like a bargain for what is to come.
Arjay
says...
10:14pm Sat 16 Feb 13
I'm still trying to come to terms with the Louvre Pyramid?... and even if that is a '10' (on a scale of 1 to 10) then the IMAX is still less than a '0' !
There has been much said of the transitory nature of the famous 'view' that we enjoyed for a few years.
Not only did the IMAX obscure that view, but it did so with a revolting building that looked as if it belonged on an industrial estate.. especially as you drove past from Bath Rd.
This day has been a long time coming.. thank goodness it's here now!.....
Tom 'Boscombe' Jones
says...
7:06am Sun 17 Feb 13
Wilkie
says...
7:20am Sun 17 Feb 13
saynomore
says...
11:20am Sun 17 Feb 13
cycopath
says...
11:37am Sun 17 Feb 13
KLH wrote:In that short comment it just shows why Bournemouth is described as full of negativity,the sort we could best do without,do something positive for once
Wonder when the first Big Issue seller will appear in the new space, along with the obligatory street drinkers/vagrants.
The Liberal says...
8:06am Fri 15 Feb 13