Liverpool in the running - worlds biggest aquarium

[FKoE]

THESE are the first images showing what the world's largest aquarium, which could be built in Merseyside, will look like.

Two enormous bio-domes 200 yards wide and 110ft high would be used to re-create different climates including the Amazonian rain forest and the Mekong River.

It is being planned by the National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats (NIRAH), and has been designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the architect behind Cornwall's highly successful Eden Project.

Wirral has been identified as one of three possible locations for the scheme, along with a clay pit near Bedford and the Welsh end of the Severn bridge.

All three sites will now be considered by a consortium which plans to make the aquarium four times the size of the Eden Project, housing the world's most endangered species.

Wirral Council yesterday confirmed it was at the early stages of negotiations to bring the aquatic centre to the borough's docklands.

But competition could also come from the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company's land at the central docks in Liverpool.

A spokesman said they had also been approached by NIRAH for the 70-acre site near Stanley Heritage Centre. The aquarium could act as a catalyst for regeneration in the area.

Each of the domes would house three aquariums containing 1.5m gallons of water and boasting a range of unusual creatures including the world's largest freshwater fish, the Mekong catfish, as well as tropical tree frogs.

Freshwater sharks and rays could also be housed in other tanks, as well as komodo dragons and giant tortoises under two 15,000 square metre transparent geodesic domes heavily planted with tropical rain forest plants.

The organisers say rare and endangered species are to be kept in habitats that will not only be spacious enough to encourage natural behaviour and essential breeding, but on a scale and artistry that will astound the public and student alike.

They will range from the five metre Mekong catfish to the two centimetre Colombian poison dart frog. Some species will be on display for the first time, having never been seen in captivity before, some little known to science, let alone the public visitor.

The project requires a 100-acre complex which will encompass a research centre and visitor experience expected to become one of the UK's top five attractions drawing up to 2m people a year.

Steve Maddox, chief executive of Wirral Council, said: "This is a very exciting proposal and something we will be very interested in discussing further with the consortium.

"At this stage the consortium has made no final decision as to where the visitor and science facilities will be located, we are at a very early stage of discussions with them as to the possibility of it being built in Wirral."

The decision on the location is expected in about a month.

A spokeswoman for the North West Development Agency said they had no formal involvement in the scheme, but added that chief executive Steve Broomhead had taken an interest in trying to attract the scheme to the North West.

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[Kev]

looks very nice, what will happen to the blue planet aquarium?

Maybe they should consider the old garden festival site.

[FKoE]

From what I gather this biosphere etc is Freshwater based ecology, and the blue planet is Salt-water based ecology ...

I think the centre would be a great asset to Merseyside if its decided to build it the region, my fingers are crossed ....

There is also rumour that the centre would be partially funded by pharmaceutcal companies and Universities ..

What a learning cntre that would be on our door step

The Amazon on the Mersey .........

[Kev]

From what I gather this biosphere etc is Freshwater based ecology, and the blue planet is Salthingyer based ecology ...

Eh?

It would be very good on Merseyside!

[FKoE]

Weird that, everytime I tried to enter Salt-water, without the gap it came out as Salthingyer ;D

Weird

[Howie]

ironically a t-wat is a female fish

[Kev]

Thats because it contains the letters...t-w-a-t...and thats banned...

Howie, you go there before me!

[FKoE]

Kev said:

Thats because it contains the letters...t-w-a-t...and thats banned...

Howie, you go there before me!

Well that explains that,cheers lads

[Howie]

Howie said:

ironically a t-wat is a female fish

oops - got that wrong

apparently it's a twerp that's the fish - i new it was something like that

[Kev]

Definition...

::a man who is a stupid incompetent fool.

::obscene terms for female genitals.

[Howie]

My definition came from 'Call my Bluff' 'cept I didn't recall it correctly. Just as well I have my better half peering over my shoulder to correct me.

[FKoE]

Howie said:

oops - got that wrong

apparently it's a twerp that's the fish - i new it was something like that

I'd love to see Caroles face if that came up on Countdown

Vowel please Carole ;D

[Howie]

I'd love to see Caroles face if that came up on Countdown

from GQ Magazine

COUNTDOWN'S CLIMAX

26 June 2001

You will all be familiar with the magnificent TV game show Countdown, with its wonderfully simple formula that harks back to more innocent times. Yesterday, the following letters were drawn out by the show's lovely hostess, Carol Vorderman. See what word you can make of them: A D I R G O M E S. If you were David Roe, the reigning champion, you would come up with the excellent word 'MIRAGES'. However, if you were his challenger, Bruno Murray, you would defile the show and doubtless cause thousands of coronaries amongst its legion of blue-rinse fans, by producing the word 'ORGASMED'. When host Richard Whiteley asked if the word was acceptable, an over-excited Vorderman shrieked (rather too quickly): "Yes, yes," before adding "it is allowed". Whiteley told Bruno that he had given the show its first orgasm in 18 years. It brings to mind a famously embarrassing incident a few years ago when the first three letters drawn out were N U T, followed by the fourth letter which, to stifled guffaws both in front of and behind the camera, turned out to be the third letter of the alphabet. (17 June 2001, AM)

[Howie]

To bring this thread back on topic...

Mersey hopes for aquarium
Aug 23 2004
By Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Echo


THE world's largest aquarium, a £250m scheme four times the size of the Eden Project, could be built on Merseyside

The former Wirral dockland is one of three UK sites being considered for the aquarium which will contain some of the most endangered species on earth.

It would be one of the biggest tourist attractions in Europe and revenue from its two million annual visitors would pay for most of the running costs once it was built.

The National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats - Nirah - is behind the 100-acre proposal designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, the architect behind the successful Eden Project in Cornwall.

Two huge bio-domes, 200 yards wide and 110ft high, would recreate the climate and freshwater conditions of an Amazonian rainforest and the Mekong River.

Each dome will hold three aquariums containing 1.5m gallons of water and species such as the Mekong catfish, the world's largest freshwater fish, and tropical tree frogs.

Freshwater sharks and rays could also be housed in other tanks, and enclosures containing komodo dragons and giant tortoises could be accessed by visitors through clear acrylic tunnels connecting the site.

Three locations have been chosen for the site: Former Wirral dockland, a clay pit near Bedford and the Welsh end of the Severn Bridge. The final choice could be announced at the end of next month.

Nirah spokesman Steve La Thangue said: "The initiative doesn't have all the answers. It's one small step towards safeguarding our essential bio-diversity."

The Regional Development Agencies in each area have expressed interest in the scheme which could open to the public by 2009.

Former dockland at Bidston or land near the Warships Museum in Wallasey could be utilised for the scheme.

No-one from Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, the North West Regional Development Agency or Wirral council was available for comment.

Source: Liverpool Echo.

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To bring this thread back on topic...

Thanks Howie

[Kev]

A £250m aquarium project proposed for Wirral had been earmarked for Liverpool.

The consortium behind the idea asked Liverpool council about sites, but chief executive David Henshaw said the city did not have one big enough and suggested Wirral.

But today it was revealed that the National Institute for Research into Aquatic Habitats had earmarked Liverpool docks as a potential location for its bio-domes housing some of the world's most endangered species.

Mersey Docks and Harbour Company says its 70-acre central docks site would be ideal, but it would need the support of the council.

Nirah is considering three sites for the project, the largest of its kind in the world and projected to be the fifth biggest UK tourist attraction.

They are Wirral, Bedford and the Severn Bridge in Wales.

The project would create hundreds of tourism-related jobs.

Research could also lead to therapeutic cures based on venom from the thousands of species.

Liverpool docks managers said they received an inquiry from Nirah and they would be interested in discussing the issue.

Liverpool council Labour leader Joe Anderson said: "I would ask Mr Henshaw on whose authority has he done that.

"It is the first I have heard of this and probably many city councillors. They will be angry if a major tourist attraction and project creating jobs for Liverpool has been turned down by him."

Walton Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle said he was "amazed" Liverpool council had not grasped the opportunity.

He said: "Wirral council has been rather slow in the past to make the most of its own bank of the Mersey and it appears this has been gifted to them by Liverpool."

A council spokesman said: "Exploratory talks were held with the consortium where possible sites for the aquarium were discussed.

"We understand a bigger site that better matched their needs was available on the Wirral.

"If successful, the project would be a massive boost to the region'seconomy and we wholeheartedly support it being located on Merseyside."

Liverpool council Lib Dem spokesman Cllr Kiron Reid said: "Merseyside needs to grow up and work together on these big schemes."

 

Source- Liverpool Echo