December 1988: Water Place opened by The Queen

September 1989: The complex is shut for repairs and improvements

August 1990: Talk of privatising the building

February 1991: Pink elephant logo branded as "tacky" by mayor, Cllr John Walsh

March 1991: Centre reported to have lost £500,000

October 1991: £15,000 spent on a controversial American fast-tan sunbed

February 1992: £16,000 spent on a facelift

July 29, 1992: Fumes from a reaction between insulation tape and sterilising chemicals leak into the Water Place, leading to evacuation and putting 23 in hospital

August 7 1992: Complex re-opens

March 1993: Consumer magazine Which? said pool was "inadequately supervised and lacking in vital safety features"

August 1993: Changing rooms branded "scruffy" by users of the pool

January 1994: Water Place sees £140,000 go down the drain over the previous 12 months.

September 1994: Leisure chiefs vow to step up security after a spate of thefts

September 1994: Bosses splash out on play equipment for children under eight to boost attendance figures

October 1994: Takings down £112,547

February 1995: Cold water poured on plans to host weddings at Water Place

February 2000: A transformation plan goes back to the drawing board when a multi-screen cinema operator pulls out

December 2001: Plan to encourage businesses to bail out the Water Place is put together

August 2002: Announcement that the complex is in trouble and could close