Do you remember when . . . new look seafront was to have cinema and amusements
A £100,000 development plan to transform Larne’s seafront into the “most up-to-date tourist centre in Ulster” was reviewed by the East Antrim Times in October 1965.
The proposal included a “championship swimming pool constructed in the form of an amphitheatre to provide a sun trap”, a conference hall with seating for 1,500 people, an amusement centre and cinema.
At Sandy Bay playing fields, there was to be a “speedway” and runing track, spectator stand and pavilion, tennis courts, cricket, rugby and hockey pitches.
A public road from Glenarm Road to Tower Road, providing not only a “tree-lined boulevard” but also a link between the harbour and council houses to the north west was featured as well as a hotel and boarding houses.
A bowling green was to be built at Chaine Memorial Park.
However, the East Antrim Times indicated that despite the ambitious plan, which had been proposed 15 years previously, just a £21,000 “Alan McNeill” hall and a £165,000 swimming pool had been constructed as well as a pavilion and pitches at Sandy Bay.