First stage of Weymouth Sea Life Tower is put in place (From Dorset Echo)

First stage of Weymouth Sea Life Tower is put in place

3:00pm Wednesday 15th February 2012 in Local News By Rachel Stretton

TALL ORDER: Rob Swinerd with the first section of the new Sea Life Tower in Weymouth

THE first section of a groundbreaking landmark in Weymouth has been put in place.

Foreman Rob Swinerd and his team from contractors TG Cruse laid the base of the Weymouth Sea Life Tower – the first section of the 53 metre project, which is on track for completion in July.

The base is the first part of the tower to be sent over from the production factory in Budapest, in Hungary, where it is being built in sections.

When finished, the attraction will offer panoramic views across Weymouth, Portland and the Jurassic Coast.

Mr Swinerd said: “It’s an exciting time at the minute and a great project to be working on.”

The base, a three metre by three metre cylinder, was lowered into place using a crane.

Mr Swinerd added: “The next stage is the steel reinforcement around the base, and two-and-a-half metres of concrete to hold it all in place.

“After that it’s just onwards and upwards.”

The team have been given a boost by the interest of two young brothers.

Charlie and Harry Croaker, aged 10 and eight, have been following the project’s progress, and are on first-name terms with the workmen.

The boys’ grandmother, retired Weymouth Nursing Home matron Janet Carter, said: “They read all the articles about it and get genuinely excited.”

As a thank you, Weymouth Sea Life Park has sent the brothers, from Bideford in Devon, to Huss workshops in Bremen, Germany, where the tower’s designers are based and from there to Budapest, where the tower is being built.

Craig Dunkerly, general manager of Weymouth Sea Life Park, said: “Their enthusiasm has given us all a boost.

“It increases our confidence that the tower is going to be a big draw and that’s why we want to make them proper young ambassadors.”

The trip will be a surprise for the brothers.

Sea Life delegate Sarah Allsop said: “They will fly to Bremen where they will be taken to the workshops of tower designers Huss for a guided tour and a presentation.”

Operated by Sea Life Park owner Merlin Entertainments, the tower will treat up to 70 visitors at a time to a 360 degree view of the area, from its position on the corner of Weymouth Pier, next to the ferry terminal.

The £3.5million attraction will be linked to the Sea Life Park by the land train, which is to be leased by Merlin Entertainment for a five-year period.