Feedback:The plight of Weston's Tropicana
WENDY Watkins commente that it's funny that Weston gets millions of pounds to spend on fixing up the Tropicana ("Save Portishead open-air pool", Open Online, October 18).
If only. The fact is that Weston's beloved open-air pool – the erstwhile Tropicana which was famous throughout the world with its high diving stage – is to be destroyed and replaced by a monstrosity.
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There are more than 25,000 signatures which have been collected calling for the open-air pool to be restored with a retractable roof.
Most Westonians would be delighted to be rid of the planned replacement.
Portishead would be welcome to the dreadful thing.
North Somerset Council has ridden rough-shod over the wishes of the residents of Weston-super-Mare every bit as much as it has of those of Portishead.
The council has been determinedly uglifying Weston-super-Mare for decades.
Robert Craig, by email.
Comments
by Annette Hennessy, Portishead
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 7:05PM
“Robert Craig has highlighted one important fact in his letter - that despite Mr Whittington's sterling efforts to collect over 25,000 signatures on a petition in Weston, North Somerset Council plundered on regardless. Petitions will not help Portishead Open Air Pool but highlighting the flaws within the council's Review Report rendering it invalid will mean the council has to think again about its recommendations for closure. There is still no concrete evidence that this pool requires the subsidy the council claims it paid this year. Whilst evidence of maintenance receipts,estimates plus
official statistics and accounts are still awaited under the Freedom of Information Act, no costs released by the council are confirmed. There is no substantiating evidence for the £130,000 figure the council claims the pool costs to run and it is becoming frustrating seeing this in the press every day. An independent audit and an investigation by an external ombudsman would reveal the truth.”