UK Dolphinaria Archive: Skegness Dolphinarium: 1972

Aerial view of the Skegness dolphinarium which can be seen on the right-hand side as a blue circle. This is now the site of the Skegness Aquarium.

BACKGROUND

Skegness dolphinarium was a summer season facility operated by the Queens Motel and Entertainment Ltd (Margate Dolphinarium) in conjunction with Skegness Urban Council.

The first season started badly with dolphin 'Speedy' having to be returned to Margate as he refused to perform. Two animals were then supplied on loan from Pleasurama (London Dolphinarium etal) for this season.

In 1973 the season had a false start with one of the dolphins playing with and breaking in filter inlet pipe that allowed water to empty from the pool. Fortunately, staff arrived to find the animals safely on a 'water'bed' created by the pool liner and they were moved to the companies Margate pool whilst the pool was repaired. The animal returned some weeks later. The dolphin pool's last summer season was in 1975.

A Review of Dolphinaria states:

A temporary outdoor exhibit with a partly sunken 9.14 m diameter 2.13 - 2.44 m deep plastic lined pool. The show was said to have had a full commentary, which could be pitched to requirements, with biological facts as well as general material (Williamson and Schomberg, 1976)

News paper coverage regarding problems with the initial opening of the dolphinarium.