swimming baths

[redcoat_wannabe]

Originally Posted by Pushbutton

Splash for me is the best fun attraction at Butlins today. I especially like the master-blaster and space bowl, and of course the waves.

If they still only had the old-style swimming pools without the flumes and wave machines I wouldn't find that anywhere near as much fun, and it would be nothing special as I can go in a straightforward swimming pool at home.

In that sense I think the newer style pools are an improvement for Butlins, although it would be nice to have the old pools still AS WELL for the novelty of the underwater windows, and for the benefit of those who want to do some serious lap swimming for exercise (which can be tricky if not impossible in Splash).

You mentioned that there is nowhere for serious swimmers to go. The best pool for this (I think) is Minehead, near the Childrens pool, by the viewing area.

Overall Skegness is the best pool today. This being to the vast amount of attractions available. Then Bognor then Minehead. This being due to the limited number of attractions available.

[dalton]

i have to agree skegness pool is the best and why did minehead do away with the childrens mini indoor slides for toddlers as skeggy still have theres

[Pushbutton]

How are there fewer attractions at Mineheads Splash compared to the other camps?

Minehead Splash has a wave machine, 2 jaccuzis, a Space Bowl, Master Blaster, Black Hole, and Blue Comet flumes, plus lazy river, childrens area, and as you said a serious swimming section (although serious lap swimming in that would be much better if they had lane seperators).

Of course there's also an outdoor kiddies pool as there is at Skeggy.

So what is missing at Minehead?

By the way in case you weren't aware, the "serious swimming" section you are referring to is the old Oasis pool that was opened in 1987. When it first opened there were no flumes, wave machines etc, just the serious swimming pool that is still there. The reason Oasis was built was that the old serious swimming pool (the one in the regency building with the underwater windows) had been converted into an indoor "Splash" type pool with flumes.

It's quite bizarre how it all worked out in the end really as now that "new" serious swimming pool they built (Oasis) has itself also been converted into a Splash pool with flumes etc and the original indoor pool (now known as Sunsplash) has been left empty and disused.

With more foresight they could have just built Oasis as a larger Splash type pool with flumes and wave machines from the beginning in 1987, and left the original indoor pool as it was originally with the underwater windows showing, and it could still be in use now.

Firstly they would have saved money by not converting the original pool into a splash pool and not building flumes there only to demolish them just a few years later.

Secondly they would have saved money by not having to include a serious swimming pool when they built Oasis because they would have still had the original one in the regency building instead.

Thirdly they would have saved money by not having to extend and modify Oasis later making it into Splash.

And fourthly they would have saved money by not having to pay now to maintain a disused pool in the regency building (it still costs money to maintain even though it's not used).

That's a LOT of wasted Butlins cash! Could have paid for a few new funfair rides I dare say.

[rocky mason]

Originally Posted by Pushbutton

Splash for me is the best fun attraction at Butlins today. I especially like the master-blaster and space bowl, and of course the waves.

If they still only had the old-style swimming pools without the flumes and wave machines I wouldn't find that anywhere near as much fun, and it would be nothing special as I can go in a straightforward swimming pool at home.

In that sense I think the newer style pools are an improvement for Butlins, although it would be nice to have the old pools still AS WELL for the novelty of the underwater windows, and for the benefit of those who want to do some serious lap swimming for exercise (which can be tricky if not impossible in Splash).

I agree with you Push, and the new pools have to be a great improvement. I should think they are great fun for all guests and especially for the youngsters!! I think, if the decision had been mine I would have retained the old 'Indoor Pool' for exactly the reasons you have described!

[redcoat_wannabe]

Originally Posted by rocky mason

I agree with you Push, and the new pools have to be a great improvement. I should think they are great fun for all guests and especially for the youngsters!! I think, if the decision had been mine I would have retained the old 'Indoor Pool' for exactly the reasons you have described!

I think that the "Sun Splash" pool at minehead should be emptied and then restored to how it would have looked back in 1962. This could then be used for "Serious swimmers". The other space up there could be turned into a Spa facility with several treatments.

[Pushbutton]

Originally Posted by redcoat_wannabe

I think that the "Sun Splash" pool at minehead should be emptied and then restored to how it would have looked back in 1962. This could then be used for "Serious swimmers". The other space up there could be turned into a Spa facility with several treatments.

My thoughts precisely.