Sponsored by
North Bay eyesore in the firing line
The former Atlantis, North Bay pool, as it looks today. 120649c
SCARBOROUGH’S North Bay adventure park is under fire after its site was branded an “eyesore”.
Concerns were raised after three large caravans appeared at the Military Adventure Park on the former Atlantis site.
Members of the public contacted the Evening News saying they were “shocked” and “appalled” at the state of the once-magnificent North Bay pool.
Jo Drydale, of Parkfield Gardens, said: “To say it is now an eyesore is an understatement.
“The thing we would like to know is are the caravans the latest thing in holiday lettings or just being stored there?”
Newby ward councillor Andrew Jenkinson has also voiced his concerns, saying: “I think it’s horrendous. It looks like a gypsy encampment and it shouldn’t be allowed.
“Easter is just around the corner. What are visitors to the area going to think if it looks like that?”
Christine Mark, chairman of Peasholm Park Friends, said: “With it being Peasholm Park’s centenary year, to see the Atlantis site looking so sad is quite demoralising really.”
The Evening News contacted the Military Adventure Park’s managing director David Hooper, who said he wished to apologise to the people of Scarborough for the way the site looks at the moment.
Mr Hooper explained that the caravans were brought on site to create a new shooting range, which will be just one of the new attractions planned for the park as part of a £50,000 investment.
He said: “I hate the way it looks too - it is an eyesore and an embarrassment.
“We are trying to get planning permission for the shooting range, but nothing has happened yet.
“It’s extremely frustrating for us. We are trying our best and want to make it a really good park.
“If I’d known the caravans would be sat there so long without work being able to start, I wouldn’t have brought them onto the site.”
Mr Hooper explained that the caravans will be knocked together and clad to look like a building for the indoor shooting range.
He is also spending around £35,000 on a new children’s climbing attraction called Spider Mountain.
He said: “We’ve agreed to be here for the full year now and want to invest. We’re hoping to be open by the end of March and will launch with a Dr Who-themed day.”
A council spokesperson said: “We are fully aware of the caravans on the site of the Military Adventure Park in the North Bay. The operator of the attraction intends to convert the caravans into wooden clad style cabins for use as part of the shooting range within the park.
“We understand that as well as improving the attraction for visitors, these cabins will also help to better absorb the sound of the shooting thereby addressing concerns received from local residents last year about the noise from the range.
“We are currently working with the operator on the necessary permissions he needs to get the work completed for the start of the main season and we look forward to seeing the improved attraction in operation.”
The spokesperson continued: “Historically the council took the decision to demolish Atlantis to make way for one of the first phases of The Sands development, as per the original project master plan at that time.
“However in the last few years there has been a number of factors, all reported through the media, and which the council was unable to predict, that have prevented that particular site from coming to the forefront of the development.
“The new owners of Benchmark, the developer of The Sands, have plans to develop the site for hotel and mixed leisure use in the future, with their current priorities being the new waterpark and forest village development off Burniston Road.”
Originally the North Bay swimming pool was opened in July 1938 and closed its doors for the final time in 2007.
At one time its giant slides were the biggest in Europe.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 64 comments to this article
Page 1 of 5
R Scack
Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 02:29 PMThe site is horrendous , i cant believe that it has been allowed to get into such a state. It is not just the vans , the whole area is a mess. I like the idea of the old time fairground and would like to see it happen.
I read the news today, oh boy
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 05:39 PM62 Only half right I think. Benchmark have loads of our money, thank you very much.
markdrum
Friday, February 17, 2012 at 12:42 AMBenchmark will never develop that area, its been too long now, they obviously have no money.
KayleighMAPJSJA
Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 10:35 PM#59 i've just messaged my boss and will post you a reply as soon as i can as i have only just read your message. and i believe that a fair ground wouldn't be beneficial because Benchmark are going to develop the area in the future so why can't everyone just leave it be and let us get on with it
Petra Vollinka
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 05:25 PM“I hate the way it looks too - it is an eyesore and an embarrassment. Classic comment from the person who made it that way. I too would like to see the area turfed and landscaped. The old fairground rides such as those at scarborough fair would certainly add great interest especially to the older generation. This would be a classic attraction and would certainly enhance the area. Also these rides do not generate lots of noise . I do hope that someone explores the possibility .
heavensentmum
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 01:30 PMKayleighMAPJSJA, Is it open tomorrow as my grandsons are in Scarborough for the day?
KayleighMAPJSJA
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:57 PMMy friends comment.... wow some people's critisism on this is ridiculos. Seriously. Its a wonderful place. when we were going to go and only three, including myself showed up, we waitd for the others so show up and everyone's face lit up as they were playnig and having a good time. Does it really matter what it looks like as long as it is safe and people are having soo much fun? Just because its surrounded by the old swimming pool fence which allows people to see in does not give people the excuse to crtitique it. Everyone can see it which is great for bussiness. There are a far more places that should be focused on about appearences.
accountdetails
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:08 AMI love a fairground. All those flashing lights, riding to the beat of loud music, the smell from the hot dog and candy floss stalls, not keen on the groups of fighting youths though but your not going to please everyone. Brilliant idea can we have an all year round on the old water park site.
Winifred Marchant
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 07:49 AMHaving a chuckle to myself . The irony of the photo bottom right .
KayleighMAPJSJA
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:44 AMI work at the Military Adventure Park and I just want to start by saying that what i'm about to put is my own personal opinion and has nothing to do with any of the other members of staff or my boss. I started working at MAP at the end of last summer and whilst I was working we had some excellent business from locals, who quickly became regular visitors, and holiday makers who came because they'd been to the laser games at Flamingo Land and Primrose Valley and they were interested in the other activities we have or just because it was something different. The tanks are a great hit with tourists and visitors regardless of the weather and their age. The tyres round the track, I believe, are for a better protection for the tanks and the track has been covered with gravel which I think will cause less delays with the tanks becuase the tracks will be less likely to come off. I know from another experience that there are different kinds of planning permission required for different structures, there is a difference between the planning permission for a log cabin and the planning permission for caravans. David is investing £50,000 into the park to improve it as much as possible to make it better for everybody. Given the fact that we don't know when Benchmark are going to start their development I think this shows a lot of dedication to the park which benefits the town's tourist industry and the locals as well. He has also considered the residents close to the park which is the intention of the caravans because there were complaints about the noise from the shooting ranges so he is attempting to improve this for them. In the article above Benchmark have said that they intend to develop the site in the future but they're priority at the minute is the site off Burnistion Road so I think it would make life easier for us, for the council and for all the residents of Scarborough if people just let us get on with making it the best we possibly can within the time we've got. As you can tell i'm very passionate about the park because I think it's a wonderful place both to work and visit. It's not just for kids it benefits everyone, adults included, the first party I worked was a stag party. I just wish everybody would stop having a go about how it looks and just let us get on with making it better for everyone. All developments take time and everything is being done to make it better.
Goingsplodgin
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:38 PMWoops that should have been 46# . Wish there was less doom and gloomers on here with nothing positive to say. I love living on the corner and mr drummer boy needs to get his facts right .
Goingsplodgin
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:33 PM45# Your idea of the fair rides is excellent. Nostalgia is a big seller perhaps someone may latch onto the idea , fingers crossed.
accountdetails
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:04 PMAnother couple of days and the damage limitation team can crawl back under their rock, make the most of it because as sure as night follows day your rock won't last as long as the corner did.
accountdetails
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 10:03 PMAnother couple of days and the damage limitation team can crawl back under their rock, make the most of it because as sure as night follows day your rock won't last as long as the corner did.
I read the news today, oh boy
Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 06:26 PM45 Well said. Glad other people are noting this. 38 Let's just be clear Atlantis wasn't the prettiest building in the town, nor was the Corner, but what has replaced the former most certainly is an eyesore, and in many people's opinion the same goes for the latter. 37 I thought personal insults were not welcome, you've come down off your high horse very quickly haven't you? And anyway, I can type quite well with my mouth shut.
Page 1 of 5
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.