It is good to hear that the Aquadome (first proposed in 1970) could now be renamed the ‘Aquatower’ because of its new pinnacle shape and could possibly incorporate a high level observation platform for viewing all around Southport. This could be part of the intended new attraction to be built on the seaward side of the extended Southport Dunes Leisure Centre.
Our Party has always fully supported this type of development but sadly it has taken over 30 years for Sefton to bring it to fruition. Certainly the relocation from its original intended site on Ocean Plaza seems like a good idea as it can now be economically coupled to the new and exciting Dunes facility.
However, the running of such an energy intensive building is likely to be very expensive, as it will require a year-round temperature of at least 30˚Centigrade for it to be comfortable for bathers and visitors. But being a brand new building an opportunity arises to reduce its high heating costs by surrounding the nearby Park and Ride area with a number of wind-powered generators similar to the Ecocentre, where one unit is capable of producing enough power for 17 average households.
The prevailing westerlies through this windswept location make this an ideal place where Southport can show its dedication to using this renewable energy source in line with current national guidelines. Other possibilities for power generation exist, including drilling down to tap the geothermal hot water situated under the resort, which has been proven to exist by the BHP offshore oil and gas platform where they have found fossil fuel on top of the Permo-Triassic aquifers at temperatures of around 32˚Centigrade. This natural heat source could make this resort into the first manmade spa town in Britain.
With these exciting new possibilities on Southport’s tourist horizon, the Party will continue to support further town opportunities through our future campaigning years.