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| Summerland For Sale - TT
museum ?
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Summerland is up for sale it has been revealed. The
complex could be replaced by a hotel, casino or houses and may include a TT
museum. The Department of Tourism and Leisure is looking for developers to
take-over the 3.5 acre site, which is due to close in 2004, and create a new
facility.
The sale is being handled by London property agent Ayles Heath
which has produced a colour brochure detailing what the site could be used
for.
The department is asking for any proposed development to include
provision for a TT museum and a vintage transport interchange, to provide a
transfer station between the Manx Electric Railway and Douglas promenade horse
trams.
The brochure says: 'The selected developer will be required to
work alongside the Isle of Man Government to create a major leisure and
commercial development.' It adds one of the 'key objectives' is to: 'Encourage
development which will provide a range of complimentary uses for a significant
town centre site, possibly including hotel, leisure, casino, residential and
other commercial uses.'
No figure is mentioned, but would-be developers
have until May 23 to submit sketch schemes. A shortlist will be produced by the
DTL by June 1 with interviews on June 14 and 15 in the Island. Up to three
developers will be selected to negotiate for the project.
Summerland
will close in 2004 after the National Entertainment and Arts Centre,
incorporating the Gaiety Theatre and Villa Marina, opens. It is expected the
redeveloped complex will be open in time for TT 2007, to mark the motorbike
festival's centenary. The brochure says: 'The government of the Isle of Man,
Tynwald, has asked the DTL to look into the feasibility of creating a facility
that will commemorate the world famous TT races in time for the centenary of
the TT in 2007.
'The department has undertaken and is carrying out
extensive feasibility work on this project and full details will be available
to the short listed candidates for this project.'
It adds: 'Individual
funding for the TT Experience will be available either as part of the complete
redevelopment of the site or separately to it and the adopted feasibility
concept is to create a centre that will be both educational and fun and will be
complimentary to other leisure-related uses.' A DTL report to Tynwald,
published in January, identified Summerland as the preferred site, but included
the Mooragh Park, Ramsey, and the Quarterbridge, Douglas, as possible
sites.
Tourism Minister David Cretney said: 'For a long time it has been
clear that Summerland is a poor replacement for its predecessor. I would like
to see the site cleared, the end of the name Summerland and a bit of
optimism.
'There have been expressions of interest already. We have had
expressions of interest in the Island as well, but it will be major scheme so,
in my view, someone with a proven record will be chosen to take it
on.
'At the moment we are very open-minded,' he said. 'We will see what
response we get back. I wouldn't want to rule in or rule out
anything.'
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