Winter decision for Winter Gardens

A new attraction is being sought for the former Winter Gardens site in Bournemouth.

Leisure operators have been invited to pitch ideas for a temporary family attraction, which is activity based.  Bournemouth Council has suggested extreme sports, incorporating the natural landscape of trees and shrubs on the site could be acceptable.

The site incorporates car parking plus space for retail and catering.

The aim in the medium term is to develop a mixed use scheme at the site as part of the Town Centre Master Vision. In the meantime, Bournemouth Council is keen to put the area to good use.

Cllr John Beesley, Deputy Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “Through the vision we hope to transform Bournemouth town centre and inject more quality. We know from public consultation into the vision that there’s an appetite for more attractions in the town centre.

“In the long-term we hope the vision will deliver an all weather family attraction on the Winter Gardens site, in the short term we’re looking for a new outside attraction that fits with the landscape and is attractive to both residents and visitors.”

Operators have until the end of August to get their submissions in and a final decision is expected in the winter.

Part of the temporary car park there will remain up and running when the new attraction opens in spring 2010.