A "Heritage Waterpark" in Dreamland.

["KING OF THE FLUMER]

As the uks first WATERSLIDE HISTORIAN and an active flumer myself(Hence my user name "KING OF THE FLUMERS") i am somewhat concerned about the apathy shown towards our waterslide heritage,as we have lost a significant number of "HISTORIC"(Pre 1989)waterslide installations.and the main reason for this is that waterslides fall between the 2 categories of water rides and swimming facilities.These remarkable pieces of aquatic architecture,the larger ones in particular are in their own right comparable to the SCENIC RAILWAY.I recently submitted an application for the LISTING of the uks oldest working waterslides THE DOMEBUSTERS AT THE OASIS SWINDON TO ENGLISH HERITAGE,This was sadly turned down as it was not "OLD ENOUGH" ENGLISH HERITAGE have this 30 YEAR RULE which i think is unfair.Unless we take our WATERSLIDE HERITAGE SERIOUSLY WE WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, margate itself lost 2 flumes from THE HARTSDOWN LEISURE CENTRE recently,and a HERITAGE WATERPARK in DREAMLAND consisting of waterslides of the past would be a wonderful addidion,as it would extend the HERITAGE PARK CONCEPT to include waterslides and to start the ball rolling The dreamland Trust should acquire the "WILD WATERS WATERSLIDES"that are now disused and derilict at THE KING ALFRED LEISURE CENTRE HOVE.This is THE LAST SURVIVING SET OF "WILD WATERS" FLUMES LEFT.It was built in 1985 and has been disused for many years. it should be acquired and put into storage so it can be eventually be rebuilt inthe HERITAGE WATERPARK.Ihave just started work on my book "THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF WATERSLIDES IN THE UK" as nothing has ever been written on this subject before,and i call upon The trust to consider a "HERITAGE WATERPARK" of HISTORIC WATERSLIDES on the site or elsewhere in Margate itself perhaps on the former LIDO site.

[EAS]

Actually, English Heritage doesn't have a '30 year rule', that's national government policy on listing.

English Heritage is the government's advisor where listing buildings is concerned, but it's not the sole source of input, and it is the Secretary of State who actually has the decision to make on listing.

Getting anything post-war listed is very, very difficult, and I think the possibility of getting anything 'ride' connected listed from 1986 just about impossible, frankly. Even after 30 years, it would have to be be something very special indeed, significant in historic terms, not simply the last one left etc. More likely would be the listing of a building around it, but again, it would have to be something very significant (like the Royal Commonwealth Pool in Edinburgh).

Not sure if Hove is significant enough to be listed, although its history is certainly fascinating:

http://www.kingalfredleisure.co.uk/inde ... t=B1153684

but the slides were closed in 2000:

http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2000/11/10/186746.html

and according to this are now demolished:

http://hovedailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009 ... lides.html


All rides so far acquired for Dreamland (including the parts from rides rescued from Southport and the Rhyl waterchute) have been acquired by a dedicated band of people doing this in their own time, and for some of it there has had to be an appeal and campaign members have clubbed together to try to cover the costs of purchase, transport etc.

There is no major pot of cash available to simply step in and rescue anything, no matter how desirable, and space at Dreamland is going to be limited.

As far as 'aquatic architecture' is concerned, in the sense of historic 'amusement park' structures, which is really what this campaign is about:

There is a waterchute listed, at Grade II

http://www.hullcc.gov.uk/portal/page?_p ... e=&p_mode=

Enjoy state-of-the-art water play, old and new, at East Park - 09/07/2009

Hull's brand new water play feature will be formally opened by Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr David Gemmell on Friday 10 July at 1pm. Cllr Gemmell will be joined by children from Westcott and Alderman Cogan primary schools.

It's the second time that East Park has become home to state-of-the-art water features. The inauguration of the new water play area coincides with the 80th birthday of the ever popular Grade II listed water chute, one of just two remaining in the country and the only one still in public use.

At 120 metres long, the new water play area is perfect for keeping cool on a hot summer's day. From a large bowl shaped paddling pool, complete with water jet cascades, the water meanders through rocks and boulders down to a second paddling pool. The new feature is not just for play, already it is being used for educational purposes. Having been fitted with an Archimedes screw, children can learn the principles of water displacement and how ships are lifted out of water, as well as how river deltas are formed.

The new feature is set in one of the most mature areas of the park where the original, and then the only, water was located. Thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery for the play area, water has been restored to its earliest site, putting a modern twist on borough engineer Joseph Fox Sharp's original plan for East Park.

When the historic water chute opened in May 1929, it was all the rage as a "white knuckle" ride! Crowds were happy to queue at length just to experience the thrill. Nowadays, it is still in full working order, opens in the summer months and remains a traditional favourite with East Park visitors. The Friends of East Park will mark its official birthday on Sunday 23 August from 12 noon onwards when the ride will be free to anyone who brings one old penny, the original price for a child to ride down the chute. Adults were charged the princely sum of tuppence!

East Park is Hull's largest park, covering approximately 120 acres (48 hectares). The western side of the park opened to the public on the 21st June, 1887, the day of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee.
Nowadays, it is an award winning park with something for everyone. There are boating and model yacht lakes, animal education centre, deer park, football and rugby pitches, bowling greens, woodland walks, beautiful formal and sensory gardens, café, superb children's play areas, fishing and more. Furthermore, it is fully accessible for people who may not be as mobile as others because there are four motorised scooters and four manual wheelchairs available to help them enjoy the Park's attractions.

Holderness ward councillor John Nicholson said: "East Park is an absolute gem and a great asset to the city. It offers tranquillity and relaxation and caters for most sports and interests. The new play feature is yet another plus, and enables an interesting comparison between the most modern and the best in the 21st century with its counterpart 80 years ago."

Our very own Nick Laister knows a little about waterchutes:



http://www.joylandbooks.com/themagiceye ... tstand.htm

Here's the Rhyl rescue in words and pics:

http://www.joylandbooks.com/scenicrailw ... tober_2007


http://www.joylandbooks.com/scenicrailw ... cept10.htm

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

King, do you have a name we could associate with you?

If you could look into the acquisition of one of them and get back to us, it might be an interesting concept.
We'd also need you to spearhead some possible fund raising for the moving and storage, or see if you could get that donated.
See what you can find out and we look forward to hearing back from you.

Multiple waterslides aren't really feasible in the space, but maybe one.
Water rides by nature can be expensive to operate and maintain. While I don't think there's enough room to focus a lot of attention on a full-on waterpark, I don't think a waterslide is out of the question, at least until vintage attractions can be put back in order.
In the same vain, a 1985 era ride isn't quite in keeping with the antique theme* of the place, and anything acquired would be a temporary resident at best, 3 to 5 years maybe, unless a nice little spot in the park can be carved out for one AND it proves popular.
*Water rides do take well to "decorative theming."
Waterslides require water pumping equipment, pools, and changing facilities for users. All expense and space consuming propositions.

That said, it would be up to you if you wanted to try a nearby location. Waterparks run on a slim profit margin, and the season is short. You're looking at at least 7 months of downtime in Margate due to weather. Maybe more. It took years and a catastrophic loss to prompt action for Dreamland. If this is something you want, start your investigations now and start rallying support.

Again, if you'd look into that, that'd be great.
If they can stand inoperative for a while and Dreamland becomes a success, the sky's the limit for the area. In the meantime, you'll be up against demolition and redevelopment.

Long story made short, a slide probabaly won't work in Dreamland. Another water ride, like a log ride (flume), perhaps.

[EAS]

The dreamland Trust should acquire the "WILD WATERS WATERSLIDES"that are now disused and derilict at THE KING ALFRED LEISURE CENTRE HOVE.This is THE LAST SURVIVING SET OF "WILD WATERS" FLUMES LEFT.It was built in 1985 and has been disused for many years. it should be acquired and put into storage so it can be eventually be rebuilt inthe HERITAGE WATERPARK.

I repeat, it's no longer existing. It's been demolished, according to the link I gave above, dated January 9th, 2009:

http://hovedailyphoto.blogspot.com/2009 ... lides.html

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Hmm. I missed that. (Scanning here while working.)
I suppose they could be in storage somewhere.

[EAS]

Rusty and cut up for scrap I think...

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Well, then I guess that idea's a bust.
If Dreamland is a success and the waterfront gets a facelift, a waterpark annex or a couple waterslides could be in the future. Anything's possible.