Timaru's Landmark

Hydro Grand Hotel, opened 1912. Deemed to be destroyed 2012!!

This once beautiful building is a well known landmark of Timaru, overlooking Caroline Bay. Sadly, 2003 saw it close its doors, since then it has deterioated to a state now where it is very unsafe, and would cost enormous amounts of money to restore. There are plans to rebuild a hotel/conference centre on the site which will have a similar look they said....(I'm not convinced). There is a truckloads of red tape going on with excuses excuses.

From where this is situated is a splendid paved area leading to a Piazza area, which in turns steps down onto Caroline Bay area. This has had a huge makeover over the last three years, & all Timaruvians are very proud of this whole are.

Had lunch with D in this area today, just soooo beautiful.

A very crisp start, but as the picture shows another beautiful day in paradise,

PS: We have spent lots of fun times in the Hydro's bars & restaurants in the 60's,70's & 80's - it was a favoured meeting place, in fact, this was the first pub I was asked to prove my age, which I couldn't do, oh dear!!