A memorial to those who lost their lives in the Summerland disaster of August 2nd 1973 is to be erected by Douglas Borough Council.
The memorial will be installed in the Kaye Memorial Garden at the foot of Summer Hill and take the form of three granite columns set into a three-metre diameter circle of paving. The columns will measure approximately two metres high and bear the names of all those who tragically died when the seven-storey leisure complex was destroyed by fire.
The memorial will join the site of a stone laid by the Council in August 1998 to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
To mark the 40th anniversary the memorial will be unveiled by the Mayor of Douglas Councillor Carol Malarkey, at a service of remembrance on the evening of Friday August 2nd and dedicated by the Ven Andrew Brown, Archdeacon of Man.
Council leader Councillor David Christian said: ‘Friday August 2nd will mark the 40th anniversary of what was one of the most tragic events in Manx modern-day history.
‘The Summerland fire claimed the lives of 50 people. The memorial will honour the memory of those who perished and its setting in the Kaye Memorial Garden will serve as a place of quiet contemplation.’
On Monday June 24th the Kaye Memorial Garden will close to allow for refurbishment works to be undertaken. The garden will re-open on Saturday August 3rd. Douglas Borough Council apologises for any inconvenience caused.
