The Tropicana is a derelict site that once contained an outdoor swimming pool

Swimming pool

A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...

, in the resort

Resort

A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....

 town of Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare

Weston-super-Mare is a seaside resort, town and civil parish in the unitary authority of North Somerset, which is within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel coast, south west of Bristol, spanning the coast between the bounding high ground of Worlebury...

 in North Somerset

North Somerset

North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....

, England. It is located on the Bristol Channel

Bristol Channel

The Bristol Channel is a major inlet in the island of Great Britain, separating South Wales from Devon and Somerset in South West England. It extends from the lower estuary of the River Severn to the North Atlantic Ocean...

 coast. The Tropicana is located on the southern section of the sea front has not been occupied since 2000.

Construction

The site was first developed as a 950 sqm swimming pool in 1937 and included an art deco

Art Deco

Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...

 diving board. At the time it had the highest diving board and was the largest open air swimming pool in Europe. When it was opened it was simply known as "The Pool" becomining branded as Tropicana in 1983. The reinforced concrete

Reinforced concrete

Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...

diving board was demolished in 1982.

Redevelopment plans

In 2000 the Tropicana closed, and developer Mace Estates was selected to work on a new project for the site. But although the Council promised that the Tropicana would be open in 2004, the Mace plans were rejected and the company bowed out. In 2005 Henry Boot was chosen as the developer, but the recession meant they pulled out.

Then early in 2011 developer Richard Nightingale pulled out over a dispute with the Council over his plans.

On 23 August 2011, the Local Authority announced it was giving developers one last chance to rebuild the old complex which has now been shut for 11 years.

But it was announced on 28 November 2011 that a working group has made a recommendation to North Somerset Council to demolish the Tropicana. The cross-party Tropicana Working Group voted by six votes to three in favour of knocking it down. It will cost the council £250,000 to demolish the site, rather than leave it hanging on. It is thought that Councillors will rubber stamp the 'Yes decision on 13 December 2011.

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