Outdoor arena plan submitted for IMAX site (From Thisisdorset)

Absolute bargain, £8.5m (and the rest) for a small open-air arena.
Breath-taking result, well done to all involved.

For how long ?

And what does this 'comprehensive redevelopment' entail, because that is why the council have spent over £10m acquiring and clearing this site.

Although some may agree that from May to September an alternative open air attraction is preferable to an all weather attraction, in the winter months it will be unmarketable. On that basis if its a 500 seat arena, and it plays to a sell out every night, if the plan was to break even in 100 years it would mean that the venue cost would still be the most expensive outside of the west end.

Just hurry up and do something with the IMAX ,ridiculous all this pondering ,knock it down ASAP at least we,d have the view back and the building gone .yap yap yap says the council ,as per ......

For this to succeed they will need to be able to control the weather by diverting the jet stream. I think there is a company that can sell them the kit for about £3M to do this, I think they're called Atmospheric Systems Regulation.

muscliffman wrote:
Absolute bargain, £8.5m (and the rest) for a small open-air arena.
Breath-taking result, well done to all involved.

The money has been spent now, time to move on! You can also look back with hindsight and say something shouldn't have happened, but that isn't a reason to ignore it and not fix it now.

jobsworthwatch wrote:
For this to succeed they will need to be able to control the weather by diverting the jet stream. I think there is a company that can sell them the kit for about £3M to do this, I think they're called Atmospheric Systems Regulation.

The cost can easily be met by selling off the lower gardens to a developer!

All could play pass the parcel, spot the surf reef, find the seashore, pin the tail on the perps, fling rotten fruit to the perps in the stocks - there's lots of outdoor fun to be had for all?

Well I'm a local person, and I will most emphatically NOT be glad to see the back of the IMAX building. Demolishing a recently constructed building in a prime location at such an enormous cost would be financially irresponsible at the best of times, but do do so in the current financial climate when Local Authorities have been squeezed harder than ever and have little cash for even essential services is scandalous and utter madness.

This Summer has shown that a seaside resort must have the widest range possible of indoor locations usable throughout the year if it still wants to attract holidaymakers regardless of the weather. Tourism is the backbone of our local economy.

I firmly believe that by employing talented designers and with a measure of creative thinking about how to utilize and re-configure the existing building the Council could have a great asset for the town's tourist industry, instead of the most expensive rain and wind swept open space in the country.

Is that the best our useless council can come up with ?, open air events and markets, indoor entertainment is what's needed, we have miles of beaches for "outdoor activities" when the weather is good, put back a decent fun indoor pool and slides, funny enough what was there in the first place !, to heat it we could use all the hot air blowing about in the town hall as usual
Clueless ..........

"I firmly believe that by employing talented designers and with a measure of creative thinking about how to utilize and re-configure the existing building ..."

Oh dear, you haven't really been keeping up have you

The council has stated that the space (inc Bath Hill carpark) will be subject to a 'comprehensive redevelopment'.

What do you think that means ..... tourist amenities ?

I very, very much doubt. It is earmarked for second homes (flats).

Perhaps the Daily Echo could ask the council if ANY part of this future redevelopment will at an stage include residential development. I would be very curious to hear their reply ..... though not half as suprised as if the Daily Echo actually asked the council.

BourneRed wrote:

muscliffman wrote:
Absolute bargain, £8.5m (and the rest) for a small open-air arena.
Breath-taking result, well done to all involved.

The money has been spent now, time to move on! You can also look back with hindsight and say something shouldn't have happened, but that isn't a reason to ignore it and not fix it now.

'time to move on' - you missed out 'lessons will be learnt' to complete the classic sound-bite.
Sorry I cannot agree, it usually lets people get away with things, that is why it is said.
Example, Iraq war.....time to move on - you see.

Beasley push this through with borneporn saying it was for good for the people of Bournemouth, great to see such a wonderful replacement for this building , what we end up with a £10 million pound hole in the ground, expensive paddling pool, for the next few years, till they sell it off with the car park great austerity saving by this council anymore great ideas surf reef, ice rink, winter gardens, exeter road car park, park and ride, castle lane relief road, falling down boscombe pier, surf pods, outsource anything you can, allow contracts to be changed on pavilion development cause the builder does not have the funding to build and the list goes on. The success cut funding to poor and needy sell off car parks, close day centres, then the best employ CEO who will never stand up against the councillors. Wonder how much the businesses on boscombe overstrand pay for their rent now the surf reef is such a amazing eye sore. Nice to have a leader of council with such fantastic control over financial expenditure of our council

I'd rather the IMAX was blown up instead of being demolished. An outdoor arena doesn't do much for the town's elderly. In times of austerity, why don't they simply put some nice park benches on the site? It will be cheaper, low maintenance, and be more useful to people of all ages. There comes a time when we all need to sit, look at the wonderful view, and take in the sea air.

I hear that the BSO are commissioning a new orchestral piece for violins and traffic noise
Does anyone really believe that the orchestra would want to perform there especially , even if you ignore the surrounding noise the audience would have to be in Red Square in front of the pier. how many peple could you get there and how could you fence it off?
The Pavilion Dancehas obviously been such a success that that need this extra performace area (has anybody heard of anything they have done that warrents this ?)

Sounds to me like this is just a bigger version of the Triangle redevelopment which promised markets, events and a space for informal recreation – in reality the market lasted a couple of weeks, the only event to take place is Gay Pride where the space is fenced off to the public, and I can only assume that by informal recreation the Council were eluding to a place where the Borough’s vagrants and vagabonds can congregate having stocked up on their cheap booze in Tesco Express.
.
If you look at the plans its simply going to be a desolate space where the Imax used to be which will be used on a handful of occasions. The plan shows a complete lack of imagination and does nothing to address the problem of Bournemouth’s lack of all weather visitor attractions.
.
The view across the bay may soon be reinstated but is that precious view really worth £10 million ?

An utter waste of a prime site an open air area that would be used for 7/8 weeks a year - at a huge cost to the tax payers of the Town. The Town is crying out for wet weather attractions and the Council comes up with this.

muscliffman wrote:

BourneRed wrote:

muscliffman wrote:
Absolute bargain, £8.5m (and the rest) for a small open-air arena.
Breath-taking result, well done to all involved.

The money has been spent now, time to move on! You can also look back with hindsight and say something shouldn't have happened, but that isn't a reason to ignore it and not fix it now.

'time to move on' - you missed out 'lessons will be learnt' to complete the classic sound-bite.
Sorry I cannot agree, it usually lets people get away with things, that is why it is said.
Example, Iraq war.....time to move on - you see.

Comparing mistakes between the Imax and the Iraq war is rather crass.

I'm not suggesting to just ignore the mistakes of the past, but that's a different argument.

This article is about what can happen to Imax site in the future, something that should be discussed with a clean slate as we all agree something should be done with it rather than be left derelict...

Why is everyone obsessed with 'the view'.

The view of the sea all over the conurbation is ruined by buildings. The IMAX blocks the view if you are coming down the hill by car for about 3 seconds.

Surely most people, if they really cared about this amazing view, would park their cherished car and go for a walk on the beach.

DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over.

Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice.
Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets.

The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth.

I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc.

Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

What I’m seeing here is that the majority want the Imax destroyed at all costs, but there is a lot of dispute about what to put in its place.

Whilst all the dispute is taking place why not make it a grassed terraced garden, call it an extension to the main gardens. At least a scheme like this would remove the carbuncle, be cheap to maintain, give us all a bit of open space and give plenty of time to ensure the correct replacement is made!

It could be a garden before Xmas if the council got on with it.

no **** -sherlock wrote:
All could play pass the parcel, spot the surf reef, find the seashore, pin the tail on the perps, fling rotten fruit to the perps in the stocks - there's lots of outdoor fun to be had for all?

and, if it fails it will make a great car park!

Pure genius - demolish a massive all weather screen and make everybody sit outside instead to do exactly the same thing !!! Have i missed something ?you couldnt make it up ,if thats the intention ,for goodness sake leave it as it is .

An open arena... sounds like surf-reef and twin sail bridge to me!!!!

The Seasider wrote:
DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over.

Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice.
Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets.

The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth.

I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc.

Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

What a terrific idea Seasider, families
will love it and what a great place for
educational visits. Dinosaurs fascinate
most people could be the way forward!

Seasider what a great idea that i think would work well. That means that the council would never do it but still a great idea.

portia6 wrote:

The Seasider wrote:
DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over.

Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice.
Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets.

The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth.

I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc.

Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

What a terrific idea Seasider, families
will love it and what a great place for
educational visits. Dinosaurs fascinate
most people could be the way forward!

Excellent you should work for the council! Outdoor events areas we have them they are called "parks" or "gardens" indoor museums one, indoor attractions excluding cinemas one.

Get it sorted use the building, s*d the minority the view will be spoilt by the wind turbines anyway!!

Think all Bournemouth people should take a stand and organise a petition and march!

Frank28 wrote:
I'd rather the IMAX was blown up instead of being demolished. An outdoor arena doesn't do much for the town's elderly. In times of austerity, why don't they simply put some nice park benches on the site? It will be cheaper, low maintenance, and be more useful to people of all ages. There comes a time when we all need to sit, look at the wonderful view, and take in the sea air.

A fine idea to put park benches on the site to enjoy the view. The powers that be did that in the time between the baths going and the IMAX arriving. It looked tatty. And no view at that level because the showbar and pier approach tat obscure any potential vista. If the IMAX site is to be made into an open air something or other then do something with the pier approach. Some of the paving is decidedly tired, those horrid high mast lights that should be on a motorway, and the stalls that sell Babbage. Sort the lot of it out. Oh hang on a minute, that's too straight forward.

Agree with Seasider - not only the Natural History Museum but mix in with it a serious hands on Science exploratory and you have a winner.

This town is dreadful when it comes to finding something to do in poor weather. The Oceanarium's ok, but costly, and it only takes an hour tops to go round. More indoor attractions I say.
I'd always felt the Imax would be a good air museum. Y'know, take what's rusting in that field near Alice's world of Adventures, add some more planes hanging from ceilings etc, and it all ties in with the yearly air-show.
Anyway, after reading Seasiders idea I'm with him/her. Brilliant! A dinosaur museum. Sadly the council wont go for such a good idea despite being prehistoric themselves.

Oh dear, dearie me

A Dinosaur centre. There must be some in the council laughing their 'socks' off.

Even when they do come out with it and admit their intention is 'a comprehensive redevelopment' of the whole site we still have people warbling on about tourist attractions and such like.

The place is to remain flattened until a suitable developer can be found, and the funds raised. That's it. They have stated that as bluntly as possible, yet still we have these ludicrous schemes about 'wet weather facilities'

At least with the surf reef and Ice rink there was some pretence of there being a 'common good' behind the plans to hand over public assets to private developers - here they have realised there is no need of that sort of sleight of hand and have simply stated their true intent from the outset.


Talk about taking candy from the mouth's of babes, they must think all their Christmases have come at once.

ljw1414 wrote:
Just hurry up and do something with the IMAX ,ridiculous all this pondering ,knock it down ASAP at least we,d have the view back and the building gone .yap yap yap says the council ,as per ......

Its only 3 million to knock it down, Barmy

The Seasider wrote:
DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over.

Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice.
Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets.

The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth.

I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc.

Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

Relevant to Dorset, I was born in Hampshire and have not moved from this town so why is it relevant to me but I do like his Idea.

I agree that the iMax building is ugly and should never have been built. BUT these comments about obscuring the wonderful view as you drive down bath hill, this is tosh.
1. For those few seconds, does it really matter?
2. When you look at the photographs of the old swimming pool that was once there, the height is similar. It is only because the council removed this building with no worthwhile future plans that resulted in a car park used for sex and drugs, later to be built upon by big business with little profit to the public purse.
Is this history repeating???
Give it 20 years and a new building will be built.
My Advice - use the building you have bought!!!! Let the restaurants and bars re-open and turn the cinema into, ummmmmm a 3d cinema, or theatre for BSO, or if too small, local musical or theatrical groups...... please do not just flatten to create an unusable white elephant.

dress the outside up with some 3d poly-foam "sculptures" of the flora and fauna of the Jurassic ages and you have a world wide attractant. Great idea and the next is how to package it ? I suggest disguising the building as a jungle with dinosaur heads sticking out of it? Cant be that expensive to do with all the wizbang big routing tables that sign writers use nowadays? plenty of work there for the graffiti artists doing the realistic painting of the carvings? get on-board with this bob49 its a real thing that can have real benefits -most of it is already there -a facility. There is a glass pyramid outside the louvre -for gods sake -who says that's of great value? (except for movies?)

ice rink, ice rink ice rink

The Seasider wrote:
DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over. Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice. Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets. The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth. I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc. Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

Your idea might have some merit if Bournemouth was
a)"sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast"
b)"in Dorset"
Sorry to have to disappoint you but you need to learn your geography and history a bit better!

"Give it 20 years and a new building will be built."

20 years !

It's already a done deal. The are just waiting to find the right developer, hence the reason for it being an open space ie not built on.

A large number of very upmarket appartments with that spectacular view - or a holiday facility that might be busy two months a year ?

You don't spend £10m to return a view that can already be seen or provide a bit of open space that you don't even know what you are going to use it for .. supposedly.

Wise up a bit folks, you've been had before. This time when they are telling you, should be the time when the penny finally drops.

why, why, why does the council persist in not listening to its residents and why do people keep voting these idiots in!

Lew Swimmin wrote:
Well I'm a local person, and I will most emphatically NOT be glad to see the back of the IMAX building. Demolishing a recently constructed building in a prime location at such an enormous cost would be financially irresponsible at the best of times, but do do so in the current financial climate when Local Authorities have been squeezed harder than ever and have little cash for even essential services is scandalous and utter madness.

This Summer has shown that a seaside resort must have the widest range possible of indoor locations usable throughout the year if it still wants to attract holidaymakers regardless of the weather. Tourism is the backbone of our local economy.

I firmly believe that by employing talented designers and with a measure of creative thinking about how to utilize and re-configure the existing building the Council could have a great asset for the town's tourist industry, instead of the most expensive rain and wind swept open space in the country.

Wont make a lot of difference, I think you'll find that this council have already proved their financial irresponsibility with the building of the Imax in the first place, the surf reef and now this open air events arena.
An open air events arena announced during the wettest couple of months on record, are these people even on the same planet as the rest of us.
The only good thing to come out of this is that the view out to sea will be restored so that we can all view the hundreds of windmills a lot clearer.

The Seasider wrote:
DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over.

Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice.
Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets.

The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth.

I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc.

Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

Good idea, but the right place for this would be the Winter Gardens site. I would envisage domes something akin to the Eden project with indoor gardens themed on the Jurassic coast.
-
Dinosaur exhibits could be sited within an indoor/outdoor trail. This would tick many boxes, relevant to the area, providing an indoor activity and building on one of Bournemourth's gems, its gardens.
-
Is there anyone in the council with the vision to take this idea on?

The Seasider wrote:
DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!! Seriously, hear me out on this and let me try win you over.

Here we are, Britains major tourist town, sat in a World Heritage Coastline on the Jurassic Coast, one of the best places on Earth to find fossils and dinosaur bones and there is no dedicated place for this?? Have you been to the Natural History Museum lately... it is packed with people from all over the world who come mainly for the dinosaur exhibitions. Many of those huge fossil displays were found in Dorset. Doesnt it make sense to have a major centre dedicated to this, here in Dorset? The Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester is sweet, but it really doesn’t do the subject justice.
Perhaps called the ‘Jurassic Centre’ it would be a family attraction, a quality attraction, appeal to schools, colleges, universities for educational visits, and of course have a great cafe/s and gift shop/s as you would expect of a great visitor attraction. This lends itself to visitor all year round with summer uplift for tourists. Potentially lottery funds or EU grants could be obtained for construction along the ‘major cultural/ heritage/ educational’ type funding bid. The entry pricing structure could be similar to the Oceanarium, with BOGOF entry discounts and vouchers during off-season, promoted through newspaper ad’s and leaflets.

The beauty of this idea is that it is RELEVANT to Dorset, many exhibits could come from the Natural History Museum (by negotiation), or relocated from Dorchester or other collections, it could still have open terraces/ roof top cafe with great views, and could make used of large rooms dug in to and under what is currently the car park between the Imax and Royal Bath. What is also very important is that this use would allow for the best architects to really get fired up with a stunning and distinctive building design. A modern day take on the Jurassic era, to create a unique piece of architecture that becomes endeared in to the heart of Bournemouth.

I will be glad to see the Imax gone, and the ‘open air’ events idea is not terrible- but this site could be so much more. Councillors need to be AMBITIOUS on behalf of the town. This summer and the last few summers have been terrible, which severely limits the outdoor events idea. Such events could occur in the Pier Approach area, or allow performance groups to use the bandstand in the gardens, etc.

Dinosaurs have an enduring appeal. They fascinate children and adults alike. Nothing is going to change this. Tell all your friends: DINOSAURS ARE THE FUTURE!

No need to dig any where, just visit Bournemouth town hall, plenty of dinosaurs there still living.

Thank you to those that support the idea. To the critics, a few points:

The 'Jurrasic Coast' strictly speaking runs from Old Harry Rocks to Exmouth. Most of the coast is in Dorset, with some in East Devon. The best fossil hunting areas are in Dorset; Lyme Regis and Charmouth. However, the Isle of Wight is also renowned as 'Dinousaur Island' and has as much, if not more, sites from Whitecliff Bay and all along the south coast for fossils etc.

Basically, in the middle of this stretch of coast from the eastern tip of the Isle of Wight across to Exmouth, the main tourist town is Bournemouth.

I only other major resort town which could validly lay claim to this idea, has any big development sites, a tourist economy and road/ rail infrastructure to build a major 'Jurassic Centre Dinosaur Park' and make it work is Weymouth. So Bournemouth needs to push on and make it happen here first.

Bobs entrenched cynacism regarding 'luxury flats by the back door'. This site is THE most valuable leisure/ attraction site in Bournemouth. The visitor numbers, footfall in the area etc ALL lend itself to making full use of this site as a major tourist attraction. Every councillor must know this. They must also know that it is more than their jobs are worth to try and push through a tower block or two of luxury flats. It isnt going to happen Bob.

Winter Gardens would indeed be a great site for the Dinosaur Park/ Jurassic Centre idea. I agree with you- it is a much larger site and could easily incorporate indoor and a dinosaur trail outside. But still, it could work very well on the Imax site- because it lends itself to fantastic architectural possibilities in this very unique, highly visible and exposed site.

In my opinion a dinosaur centre ticks these boxes:
1. Is an all year round attraction.
2. Of interest to families, retired people and the young alike.
3. A quality attraction.
4. Allows for interesting architecture.
5. Could become a 'must see' thing to do for visitors.
6. Has educational merit.
7. Has local merit.
8. Is not based on a fad. Dinosaurs will always be of interest.
9. Avoids a scheme based on crass commercialisation/ corporate greed.
10. Lifts the spirits (of the town), instead of wallowing in gutter culture of cheap booze and late night drunkeness.
11. Is commercially viable. Potentially the council could also have tenders/ bids for running 'Jurrasic Tours' from the site.
12. Funding potential. It is worthy enough a concept to attract funding from the EU/ government/ lottery/ private donors/ corporations (JPMorgan etc).

Anyway, thats it for now (!), although I do have one other 'big idea' up my sleeve.... save that for another day!

no sane person would go to an open air event here, better locations like the plays on brownsea island you can have lovely picnic on island plus ferry trip included from poole quay why sit next to a busy road and suffer. This council is full of idiots and money grabbers

With a little imagination, this would be a fantastic site for an indoor audio visual attraction like an Imax cinema.

Or perhaps a bus station / ice arena / table dancing venue / apartment and restaurant complex etc etc

@derek_acora - great idea , knock it down and build a new Imax theatre.
perfect solution. Perhaps ASR might come and be paid to remove their reef and then we pay them to build another? It could be the first REBUILT reef in Europe?

I'm sure that council and its officers could be convinced of the merits of both? **** this left eye keeps twitching -sort of trying to wink I think!

HONESTLY........do the council have mental problems or what? This building was rubbish all along, i mean after the IMAX cinema (total failure) shut down it just had a crap night club, a KFC, a crap restaurant and a small kids play area? Really what was the point? But why oh why do they want to put an open arena in its place? Have they seen the weather? its rubbish most of the time!! There needs to be more indoor facilities for people as there really isnt much to do in this town? Why dont they make it into an activity centre, put a big climbing wall, an indoor skate park and even an artifical wave machine as the surf reef DOESNT WORK!! (another waste of money) there is nothing for young people to do so why dont they invest the money in something like that? It would attract alot of people from all over the country and they could hold large competitions etc and make alot of money and also keep kids off the street! Its really not that hard is it? It seems the council is run by utter morons! come on use your brain and do something useful for our town!!

I believe the cost to remove the Imax was quoted as £3m. For that money you could provide most of the suggestions above, and maybe a cartoon cinema for youngsters. The projected future weather pattern is wetter summers and milder winters, so an all weather indoor entertainment area seems more useful. Any unused space could be partitioned and rented out for business meetings. Where is the sense in knocking it down and then spending a large sum on preparing an open-to-the-elements arena? But this is the wasteful Bournemouth Council. I guess they will appoint expensive 'consultants' because the Tourism Dept. will be considered incapable!

Sorry Seasider, this council would never vote for an exhibition of stuffed, mounted dinosaurs.

It's called "Professional courtesy"!!

^^ bmthresident^^

A group of skaters approached the council last year with a proposal to open an indoor skate park. They were repeatedly turned down by the narrow minded old duffers. It's getting built in Poole now and I wish it every success as it's a great way of keeping youngsters fit and off the street. Funny Bournemouth council couldn't see that. Mind you, they might've got an overseas contractor in to build all the ramps and bowls out of polystyrene or custard cream biscuits.

Provided this 'open air arena' can be used by the general public when there are no events on, I think this is the most sensible plan anyone has come up with for the Imax site. Walk along the cliftops whenever the weather is half decent and one of the main 'activities' is people simply sitting and looking out to sea; it's free and something everyone can do. When it's hot and sunny people sunbathe there if they don't want to sit on the beach. That isn't a speculation, it's an observation - a lot of people actually do it.
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There may well be a need for wet weather activities in Bournemouth but the beach is the worst place for them - the Waterfront building was supposed to provide this much needed facility but failed to deliver; hoping "something else" will do any better would just be knocking the Waterfront down and building it again when it has already failed once, which really would be a waste of money.

Wouldn't a better location for an open air area for live performances be the lower gardens away from noise of the traffic noise and the beach They could build a sort of pavillion on the Westover Road side of the gardens and then people could watch from deck chairs which would tie in with the seaside resort theme. Mind you, I don't know if getting this set up would cost more than the paltry £15million in lost rent, buying back the leases and demolition costs for the IMAX site.

Frank28 wrote:
I'd rather the IMAX was blown up instead of being demolished. An outdoor arena doesn't do much for the town's elderly. In times of austerity, why don't they simply put some nice park benches on the site? It will be cheaper, low maintenance, and be more useful to people of all ages. There comes a time when we all need to sit, look at the wonderful view, and take in the sea air.

The IMAX was generating £300k per annum in rent for the council. The open air theatre and your proposal will produce zilch for the council. The Imax's inefficient closure, in this manner, may well cost the elderly their bus pass or their local library. When it happens don't winge about it you asked for it.

The IMAX building needs grade one listed building status to preserve such a building to remind everyone what bad planning decisions deliver.....

seasider, what a fantastic idea a dinosaur museum would be great and i to think the winter gardens site would be best for this thus saving the imax site the perfect location for an air museum, with the main room totally dedicated to out favorites ( the red arrows.)The air show is becoming the biggest and best there is around so aviation museum could be the making of the town. A small one at hurn alrady i know but they could move the small site there into this one.

MattGillett wrote:

Frank28 wrote:
I'd rather the IMAX was blown up instead of being demolished. An outdoor arena doesn't do much for the town's elderly. In times of austerity, why don't they simply put some nice park benches on the site? It will be cheaper, low maintenance, and be more useful to people of all ages. There comes a time when we all need to sit, look at the wonderful view, and take in the sea air.

The IMAX was generating £300k per annum in rent for the council. The open air theatre and your proposal will produce zilch for the council. The Imax's inefficient closure, in this manner, may well cost the elderly their bus pass or their local library. When it happens don't winge about it you asked for it.

A last word on this, as anyone actually looked at the plans, they do show the demolition of the building but they also show the retention of the basement which I think is more square footage than was actually occupied when the council took the building over!

Its a real shame we dont help our sports enthusiast a lot more, theres 10Million Multi Wheeled Sports enthusiast in this country ranging from 5 to 37 years of age, they have nothing compared to ball sports. 6000 ball sport facilities, rarely used apart from the odd evening and weekends, and yet only 200 excellent level skateparks/BMX/Rolle
rblade and Scooter facilities in constant all year round use. These users are a mix of all members of society from school children to Lawyers and Bankers. All healthy, not overwieght, superbly self managed and love their chosen sport. Unlike football there has never been Riots, Deaths or the horrific Hooliganism we see every year in football, you'll never see this in Multi Wheeled Sports or in 50 years has it been known. So why on this earth are we not investing more into the obvious??? I ask one thing to whoever reads this....In yours or any member of your families Homes do you have any of the following: Skateboard - BMX Bike - Scooter - Rollerblades or Long Board. Answer is simple - Yes we all do. Let get them off the streets, town centres and side roads and put them on proper purpose made facilities they can progress on and keep healthy. Dont wait for that call from the Hospital. RB