Call for Summerland site to be turned into memorial garden

Tue, 30 Jul 2013

As the 40th anniversary of the Summerland disaster approaches, there's a new call for the government to abandon its sale of the site and turn it into a memorial garden.

50 people died when the former leisure complex caught fire on 2nd August 1973.

The site at the northern end of Douglas promenade has been derelict since the demolition of the Summerland building which began in 2005.

The land is currently up for sale and it's believed an offer is under negotiation, although this would have to be approved by Tynwald which doesn't sit again until October.

Tina Brennen was 19 in 1973 and watched the fire from the road above.

She has set up a Facebook group called Summerland Fire and an online petition calling for the site to become a commemorative garden.

Tina believes the Island owes it to the people who died.

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