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Swimming baths demolished
The popular swimming baths located on Pier Approach are demolished. -
Period: to
The IMAX history
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Councillors Choices
Councillors choose from four various schemes which could be created at the site. -
Planning permission granted
Council gives an outline for the planning permission for a potential design containing IMAX, restaraunt and bars. -
New plans
Planners change decision on the new plans and want the building 17ft taller than the outline application. Douglas Eyre, Council leader blasts them for holding up the scheme. Planners finally approve the scheme and the full council backs it a large 35-7. Imry Holdings the original developer pulls out, and is replaced by Sheridan. -
Work begins
After years of debates and planning, the building work finally begins in Autumn. -
Open date passes
The IMAX's opening date passes, construction is still on-going. -
Attractions inside open
Other attractions inside the building open. The cinema is now expected to open in January 2000. -
Money stops
Work stops completely. Councillors claim Sheridan has run out of money. -
Millenium
The outcome of a crisis talk is a pledge to open the cinema by Summer. -
Still no cinema
The seats are all in place in the cinema, but no projector. -
Sheridan sacked
Nioglos sacks Sheridan after numerous delays and looks for another operator. UCI is said to be interested. -
Sheridan's back
Sheridan are brought back in to help open the cinema in 2002. -
IMAX opens
Two years and eight months late, the IMAX finally opens. Mayor Douglas Eyre says at opening "Whatever the problems of the past, I hope that people do rally round and make this a great success." By November, Visitor numbers have comfortably exceeded initial predictions. -
IMAX job losses
IMAX shed eight jobs and close for four days a week out of season. The Council hears about it from the Daily Echo. -
T-Rex
New film T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous was named as the movie to help boost the building's income. However, a Bournemouth resident sets up website dedicated to the buildings demolition. -
Mary Rose sunk
After Sheridan send in Mary Rose Gilroy from Belfast to help with the IMAX. She suggests making it a more casual venue for non-Imax films and singalong musicals. Seven months later she departs with the majority of her plans unfulfilled. -
License to thrill
Despite winning a license for live entertainment - managers of the site discover a clause in their contract that prohibits them from doing so. -
Easter Revamp
The building shuts just before Easter in preparation for a revamp. It never opens. A resident nominates the building for Channel 4 show - Demolition. Nevertheless, staff at Jumpin' Jacks nightclub launch a petition to keep the building. -
Imax Watch
Daily Echo lanuches a campaign called the IMAX Watch. For 12 days, they attempt to contact the boss of Sheridan for news. -
Sheridan gone once again
Once again, Sheridan are turfed out from the building. Nilgos suggests one option for the building could be a casino. -
Worst building in England
Channel 4 programme - Demolition - names the Waterfront the worst building in the England. -
AYL exchange
AYL (Waterfront) Ltd, announced that they are exchanging contracts with Sheridan, which owns tthe lease on the IMAX and another empty unit. -
One business remains.
In February, only one business - the Harbour Lights pub at the top of the building, is left open. Red Panda restaraunt has closed and KFC is shut for the winter months. A new business called Coyote Ugly later opens. Councillors demand to know what the outcome is as the 10th anniversairy of the building closes. -
Council pays out
The council finally buys the Imax for £7.5million. -
Demolition?
People protest for the demolition of the building. However, the council does not listen to residents and rules out suggestions of a swimming pool or ice rink as a replacement. A shortlist is created with seven various options including a water park, an arts centre and museum, tropical gardens, a spa, amphitheatre, family play park, shops and restaraunts. Members of the public are finally invited to vote in a survey. -
Public consultation
After 3500 of people voting in the survey, the tropical gardens option is the most popular. -
Imax re-opening?
Leaseholders Sheridan insist that there is still a possibility for the cinema to re-open, however say that the Bournemouth Council are 'welcome to the IMAX', as long as the price is right. -
Autumn come
As the summer months end, legal action is taken against Sheridan, ordering them to pay £45,000 or risk forfeiting their lease on the IMAX. Developers are told that the building must be reduced in height to restore sea views for residents and visitors. In October, a deal is finally made over the IMAX. -
Empty building
Figures are released that keeping the building empty could cost council tax payers £500,000 a year or more when services are being cut. Plans to demolish parts of the Imax building are approved. -
Council baks demolition
Councillors finally back the plans to demolish the building and replace it with an outdoor events area, which would be ready for the summer season in 2013. -
Planning once again
Throughout the year, plans are submitted for the outdoor events arena. An artists impression is released showing what the site could potentially look like. September sees the Imax 'demolished; in a special light show. The Bournemouth Echo take one last look inside the IMAX building before it is fully closed. Video footage is leaked of the foyer and abandoned auditorium. -
Demolition begins
Phase 1 of the works are initiated which includes getting rid of all internal fixtures and fittins. Scaffolding is put up and strengthening works are undertaken on the ground floor. -
Exterior demolition
The demolition of the exterior building has begun. Residents look forward to a smmer without the eyesore. -
Demolition complete.
All that is left of the building is one exterior wall which could not be demolished as of yet due to weather conditions. The clear up is soon to began as work will start on constructing the outdoor events arena ready for the Summer. The demolition site looks eerie.
