Bournemouth ‘in need of permanent ice rink' (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Bournemouth ‘in need of permanent ice rink'
1:00pm Thursday 27th December 2012 in News By Julie Magee
Cllr Ron Whittaker
THE popularity of Bournemouth’s temporary indoor and outdoor ice rinks clearly demonstrates the need for a permanent attraction in the town, according to a local councillor.
Independent Cllr Ron Whittaker, who has campaigned for an Olympic-sized rink at Kings Park for many years, said: “It’s all right to have fun rinks for Christmas but what we really need is a permanent rink where major events can be staged.”
Bournemouth has been without a full-sized ice rink since the one in Westover Road shut down in January 1991.
Earlier this year the tendering process for developers interested in operating a rink at Kings Park ended without generating a single bid.
The council decided to put its plans on hold until the state of the economy improves and they can go back out to the market.
In a bid to encourage developers, the council was willing to give the Kings Park site to a company prepared to build and operate a rink. The local authority had also secured outline planning permission for the site, at a cost of almost £70,000.
Cllr Whittaker said: “The popularity of the temporary rinks shows the need for a permanent facility; we would love to have it in the town centre but there are no suitable sites.
“There are good transport links to Kings Park and the council owns the site. To make it profitable we need the support of developers.”
Since the official opening of the first outdoor ice rink in the Lower Gardens and indoor rink at the BIC on December 4 nearly 10,000 skaters have taken to the ice.
Steve Piper, BH Live Director of Venues, said: “As the school holidays begin we expect even more people to enjoy this activity.”
The outdoor rink will close on January 6 while the indoor rink, also operated by BH Live, will remain open until February 24.
Comments(50)
kayackie
says...
1:37pm Thu 27 Dec 12
As the excellent transport links to Kings Park - as Lord Spring says! also have the parking spaces have been removed in the park!!
Arjay
says...
1:39pm Thu 27 Dec 12
I had thought it would be a similar attraction to the one at Winchester, but sadly 'tight wad' Bournemouth decided that a miniature version would be be 'good enough' to serve the local community.. despite that community being something over a 1/4 million folk!...
Now a permanent rink -- of a decent size -- would allow people to both discover how much fun skating on a decent sized rink can be, plus the options for figure skating competition.... and perhaps even ice hockey?
Smashing idea.....not holding my breath though......
kayackie
says...
2:02pm Thu 27 Dec 12
We already had one!!!!!!
steelpaul
says...
2:27pm Thu 27 Dec 12
HRH of Boscombe
says...
2:29pm Thu 27 Dec 12
.
Yes we do need a permanent venue but what's the constant obsession with it being in Kings Park?
.
Put an outdoor one where the IMAX is with a retractable roof. Even two floors with restaurants ect underneath.
.
If the council's going to invest in one it should be in a position to benefit the economy of the town. Where are people going to go from if it's in Kings Park.
.
BBC are just a care in the community project for the pompous old goats which hold the town back. The pure ignorance is just frightening.
upyourpipe
says...
2:34pm Thu 27 Dec 12
bourne free
says...
2:36pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Telscombe Cliffy
says...
3:23pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Goldbar
says...
3:31pm Thu 27 Dec 12
You keep voting these idiots in, so what do you expect - they couldn't organise a pis up in brewery !!!
you all know their high profile failures no no need to list them.
If I was running a business I wouldn't have anything to do with them the track record of BBC is shocking
Redgolfer
says...
4:48pm Thu 27 Dec 12
MJD
says...
5:54pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Redgolfer wrote:I totally agree.
The Council OWN the site!!!!!!!!, no sir they are the custodians for the PEOPLE of BOURNEMOUTH who own the site and this is coming from the people who suggested, IMAX, SURF REEF, BIC with a WAVE MACHINE instead of 50 meter pool at least when Pier Approach Baths were there we had an Olympic Gold Medal Diver train there and the Ice Rink in Westover Road one Robin Cousins started there, THIS COUNSEL makes you want to WEEP.
CaitMcMaster
says...
5:55pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Dj Kaz
says...
6:20pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Carl Baron
says...
7:21pm Thu 27 Dec 12
What would make a far better location in my opinion, would be to build one in what was the Eye Sore Imax area. Considering that we could have the best of both Worlds if the old swimming pool was re-erected in the base of the Imax were to be re-built and on the next floor build an Ice Rink. I can imagine that developers would be climbing over one another to build such a much-needed project as both adults and youngsters need somewhere to go all through the year, but what do you the public think of my idea?
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
Chiqqy
says...
8:13pm Thu 27 Dec 12
I enjoyed the activity very much and would have continued with it even up until now (at 34!) if it hadn't closed down. Even had my own skates !
Bournemouth definitely needs something like this which is reasonably priced. There is not a lot for teens and kids and families to do anymore in the actual town centre.
They should reinstate the Westover road rink to it's former glory or put a building in keeping with the rest on the seafront where the Imax is.
muscliffman
says...
9:07pm Thu 27 Dec 12
But with our Town Hall involved a competent outcome anywhere would doubtless be impossible.
Interesting to know more detail about "The local authority had also secured outline planning permission for the site, at a cost of almost £70,000."
That is an awful lot of our Council money to simply award 'outline' planning permission (for an uncertain project) to themselves.
Town Hall fat-cats up their usual tricks?
Packersfan
says...
10:05pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Chiqqy wrote:I also remeber Ice Trax at Tower Park with the outdoor loop which happened to be in direct sunlight so the ice melted in the summer & you couldn't go outside to complete the whole loop.
I skated regularly at Ice Trax at Tower Park which was ALWAYS busy.
I enjoyed the activity very much and would have continued with it even up until now (at 34!) if it hadn't closed down. Even had my own skates !
Bournemouth definitely needs something like this which is reasonably priced. There is not a lot for teens and kids and families to do anymore in the actual town centre.
They should reinstate the Westover road rink to it's former glory or put a building in keeping with the rest on the seafront where the Imax is.
Packersfan
says...
10:05pm Thu 27 Dec 12
Yankee1
says...
11:16pm Thu 27 Dec 12
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Are they not a self-perpetuating quasi-masonic order?
Really who votes these geriatric buffoons?
.
Yes we do need a permanent venue but what's the constant obsession with it being in Kings Park?
.
Put an outdoor one where the IMAX is with a retractable roof. Even two floors with restaurants ect underneath.
.
If the council's going to invest in one it should be in a position to benefit the economy of the town. Where are people going to go from if it's in Kings Park.
.
BBC are just a care in the community project for the pompous old goats which hold the town back. The pure ignorance is just frightening.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
12:22am Fri 28 Dec 12
Yankee1 wrote:No because none of them ever do what's for the best of the town/people. Only what's beneficial to their stature or wallet.
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Are they not a self-perpetuating quasi-masonic order?
Really who votes these geriatric buffoons?
.
Yes we do need a permanent venue but what's the constant obsession with it being in Kings Park?
.
Put an outdoor one where the IMAX is with a retractable roof. Even two floors with restaurants ect underneath.
.
If the council's going to invest in one it should be in a position to benefit the economy of the town. Where are people going to go from if it's in Kings Park.
.
BBC are just a care in the community project for the pompous old goats which hold the town back. The pure ignorance is just frightening.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
12:34am Fri 28 Dec 12
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Selling off spare land in Kings Park to a developer is far easier for these gormless old muppets!
Yankee1 wrote:No because none of them ever do what's for the best of the town/people. Only what's beneficial to their stature or wallet.
HRH of Boscombe wrote:Are they not a self-perpetuating quasi-masonic order?
Really who votes these geriatric buffoons?
.
Yes we do need a permanent venue but what's the constant obsession with it being in Kings Park?
.
Put an outdoor one where the IMAX is with a retractable roof. Even two floors with restaurants ect underneath.
.
If the council's going to invest in one it should be in a position to benefit the economy of the town. Where are people going to go from if it's in Kings Park.
.
BBC are just a care in the community project for the pompous old goats which hold the town back. The pure ignorance is just frightening.
davidhaz
says...
3:38am Fri 28 Dec 12
Return of the Native
says...
8:13am Fri 28 Dec 12
Dj Kaz wrote:Well said.
I'm under 18, and I know for a fact that many of my friends would love this, It would need to be an Olympic size one with the amount of visitors your bound to get! Great Idea.
Return of the Native
says...
8:15am Fri 28 Dec 12
steelpaul wrote:Hear hear!
Heres an idea, put in a permanent rink, generate revenue from it through not only skating but also having events such as ice shows and an ice hockey team. Im originally from sheffield, we have 2 professional ice hockey teams up there both attracting crowds between 1500 and 8000 people, there is a temporary ice rink in Cardiff that is both for public use and is used for ice shows and a professional ice hockey team there also, its been a huge success there, I for one would love a permanent rink here in Bournemouth
Glashen
says...
11:11am Fri 28 Dec 12
Carl Baron wrote:The basement of the Imax will be available, so presumably could without that much effort be used as an ice rink.
Whilst I agree with Cllr Ron Whittaker as to Bournemouth needing a permanent Ice Rink one can see why developers aren’t so keen to build one at Kings Park it simply won’t get the volume of participating skaters as much as one built in the Town of Bournemouth.
What would make a far better location in my opinion, would be to build one in what was the Eye Sore Imax area. Considering that we could have the best of both Worlds if the old swimming pool was re-erected in the base of the Imax were to be re-built and on the next floor build an Ice Rink. I can imagine that developers would be climbing over one another to build such a much-needed project as both adults and youngsters need somewhere to go all through the year, but what do you the public think of my idea?
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
Certainly if it was economically viable anyone could apply to council to rent the space, that of course is the problem the council will want an economic rent and for this site that might well rule out an ice rink. One point I believe as another poster as mentioned that an issue in the past was that the ice can melt, that is why the Ice rink in Westover road closed no one would insure them with the shops underneath.
Rustyfootballer
says...
11:51am Fri 28 Dec 12
Azphreal
says...
1:26pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Kiki1973
says...
3:40pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Carl Baron
says...
6:13pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Glashen wrote:As you say. “ The council will want an economic rent and for this site that might well rule out an ice rink”. Considering the Imax has been an uneconomic failure so having the chance of both an Ice Rink on floor and a good sized Swimming Poole on the ground floor should prove to be a crowed puller for both simmers and skaters; not forgetting possible hosting for Televised Shows placing Bournemouth well on the entertainment map.
Carl Baron wrote:The basement of the Imax will be available, so presumably could without that much effort be used as an ice rink.
Whilst I agree with Cllr Ron Whittaker as to Bournemouth needing a permanent Ice Rink one can see why developers aren’t so keen to build one at Kings Park it simply won’t get the volume of participating skaters as much as one built in the Town of Bournemouth.
What would make a far better location in my opinion, would be to build one in what was the Eye Sore Imax area. Considering that we could have the best of both Worlds if the old swimming pool was re-erected in the base of the Imax were to be re-built and on the next floor build an Ice Rink. I can imagine that developers would be climbing over one another to build such a much-needed project as both adults and youngsters need somewhere to go all through the year, but what do you the public think of my idea?
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
Certainly if it was economically viable anyone could apply to council to rent the space, that of course is the problem the council will want an economic rent and for this site that might well rule out an ice rink. One point I believe as another poster as mentioned that an issue in the past was that the ice can melt, that is why the Ice rink in Westover road closed no one would insure them with the shops underneath.
As you also stated,” an issue in the past was that the ice can melt, that is why the Ice rink in Westover road closed”. Not really so much a problem if you have a swimming Poole under the Ice Rink lots of room for any such remote chance of water leakage.
portia6
says...
11:07pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Bob49
says...
11:35pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Maybe those running those venues know something Cllr Whittaker doesn't. Perhaps it might have been a good ifea for him to have contacted them first to see why they have all closed.
Just as the surf reef was a convenient bluff to allow land to be handed over to private developers, so has the Kings Park ice rink been a useful ploy to get a change in usage of open green land ie developers to eventually built on it.
Maybe someone should tell the councillor that there's no need now to continue with this farce, the deed's been done.
pete woodley
says...
11:37pm Fri 28 Dec 12
Arjay
says...
10:37am Sat 29 Dec 12
pete woodley wrote:I think you'll have to check some of Bob49's comments for factual accuracy -- he does seem to rather simplify on occasion.
Very distrusting Bob,but as you say,so many have closed,why.
I remember a recent thread where he tried to convince everyone that my suggestion to hold a Court Martial 'in camera' was nonsense. (It wasn't of course - that's exactly what actually occurred!)
The old Bristol ice rink has been closed for redevelopment, for example...and that decision seems to have been a commercial one that met with a lot of local protest - so it wasn't closed through any lack of interest!
Regarding Cardiff -- 'Planet Ice' appears to be alive and well, according to their web site?.....
There will always be commercial - and sometimes technical - reasons some ice rinks close - particularly the older ones.
However, the idea of having a modern permanent ice rink locally would be welcomed by many folk.
Not just as a 'fun' venue, but one where it would be possible to accommodate the full spectrum of ice sports as well.
I think lots of local folk have either forgotten -- or have never known -- just how much fun ice skating can be.
Healthy too!...
davidhaz
says...
11:20am Sat 29 Dec 12
Arjay
says...
11:51am Sat 29 Dec 12
davidhaz wrote:Why should the decision be made exclusively on commercial grounds?....
Having listened to everyones comments - no. It would make a loss and close pretty quickly again. I don't think the council should be taking more risks....
If that was always the sole governing criterion, then I suggest that perhaps the cycle track at Slade's Farm would never have been built, for example?...
Surely, one of the legacies from the success of the Olympics this year should be to encourage more sporting activities...... and ice skating combines healthy exercise, and a fun social environment.
With proper facilities you could simply be a 'fun' skater, or you could perhaps take it more seriously, and get involved with figure skating - or ice dancing - or pair skating - or ice hockey - or speed skating.......(not all at once of course!)
I agree, the idea of a purely commercial enterprise, as a 'fun' item is unlikely to succeed.
Introduce a more serious sporting function, and the 'Olympic legacy' might suggest that additional funding could be available......I suspect it rather depends if anyone high enough up the sports funding 'food chain' likes ice skating or not!...
pete woodley
says...
2:18pm Sat 29 Dec 12
davidhaz
says...
4:30pm Sat 29 Dec 12
bally75
says...
11:40pm Sat 29 Dec 12
Bob49 wrote:HATE it when people come on here with the wrong fact!!!!! out of all of the rinks you say are now closed only one has and that one was not a full ice pad ! streatham is being re built by tesco currently they have a full size temporary rink in brixton romford bristol are still there and cardif city council are about to fund a new rink to replace there full size temporary rink YOU ARE A CLUELESS NIMBY
So, in the real world where major ice rinks in Cardiff, Bristol, Romford, Norwich Streatham, Plymouth have closed in the past year or so, and plans to built an ice rink at Southampton have been scrapped we get this crackpot idea put forward - on the basis that a temporary novelty rink put up for a few weeks should be enough to justify a major leasure development.
Maybe those running those venues know something Cllr Whittaker doesn't. Perhaps it might have been a good ifea for him to have contacted them first to see why they have all closed.
Just as the surf reef was a convenient bluff to allow land to be handed over to private developers, so has the Kings Park ice rink been a useful ploy to get a change in usage of open green land ie developers to eventually built on it.
Maybe someone should tell the councillor that there's no need now to continue with this farce, the deed's been done.
Avengerboy
says...
7:43pm Sun 30 Dec 12
ekimnoslen
says...
1:00pm Mon 31 Dec 12
kayackie wrote:Ah! but did it sell booze, an absolute must in Bournemouth.
Arjay!!
We already had one!!!!!!
stevobath
says...
2:38pm Mon 31 Dec 12
kayackie wrote:So true..
We already had one !!!!! a brilliant facility criminally left to rot for 21 years whilst the town was crying out for a wet weather facility for holiday makers and locals!! Now the Westover Rink is massive empty gym, WHY wasnt the Westover rink kept or at least renovated to a first class ice rink?
As the excellent transport links to Kings Park - as Lord Spring says! also have the parking spaces have been removed in the park!!
One thing however.It would be nice to see a major attraction NOT in the Town Centre.Maybe AFCB could get involved?
raynad
says...
8:13am Tue 1 Jan 13
davidhaz wrote:Totally agree, I bring my ten year old girl to Bournemouth regularly and she cannot understand that a town of this size has no big swimming pool, I tell her how great the pier approach baths were when I was a kid and she says what where that horrible empty building is now, oh how I Iaugh! BTW we live in a little village near Bath and we have a swimming pool.
hang on ice rink? I dont think we even have an olympic swimming pool or diving facility? Shouldn't that be a priority? Is there even any olympic size running tracks that the public can have access to? All we seem to have is dog poo covered fields with little kiddies parks attached to them that sometimes have a cricket pitch drawn on them or a footy pitch........ Our council are morons and have no idea what the people need. An ice rink would be nice but its something of the past that we often feel nostalgic about. If there was a real demand for 1 some company would have developed one by now. The fact that it hasn't happened tells me it would not be cost effective. Our council should worry less about populist nostalgic trips into the past and more about practical facilities that we want now.
SFF
says...
12:31pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Personally I dont think it is anything about an ice rink. Somewhere someone wants a change of use on that land so it can be sold off for developers. Land that was given with covenants to the people of Bournemouth. Land that the Council has in trust but says it owns.
Look at the BCCA gifted to the impoverished children of Boscombe for education and to be handed to developers for rabbit hutch housing for peanuts and presumaby a nice back hander.
This council has shown time and time again it has no desire to regenerate Boscombe. Who will want to take their kids to an ice rink in an area noted for 60 rehabs, open prostitution and drug use and the occasional drug related shooting?
Put the ice rink back in the town centre where it belongs and stop the rape of the few assets left in Boscombe.
victor meldrew 17
says...
3:07pm Tue 1 Jan 13
The more debate there is,on this and other issues the better,building a new casino next to the pavillion,for instance,every casino I have ever been in had no windows,so why would you build one on a site with some of the best views in the town.
CourtOffside
says...
8:59am Wed 2 Jan 13
pete woodley
says...
1:55pm Wed 2 Jan 13
CourtOffside wrote:Thats a fact that a lot have ignored,anybody have any other views on this comment.
Westover was fine for leisure skaters and people wanting to learn figure skating.. but it wasn't big enough for hockey and there was not enough seating to make it viable for other events.
golfer33
says...
4:06pm Wed 2 Jan 13
plus it is much more expensive to maintain. the rink would have to be built like a aircraft hanger.
CourtOffside
says...
11:15am Thu 3 Jan 13
golfer33 wrote:Whilst it is true that hockey players tend to prefer colder surfaces than figure skaters, the difference isn't as big as you suggest.
Ice hockey and figure skating have 2 different surfaces, ice hockey ice is much harder and about 6 degrees colder
plus it is much more expensive to maintain. the rink would have to be built like a aircraft hanger.
Hockey is usually 24-26 degrees, figure skating 26-28. A top ice temperature of 26 degrees is usually fine for practice/training in both sports and it wouldn't be expensive to chill to fine tune this for competitions/shows.
davidhaz
says...
7:22pm Sat 5 Jan 13
Lord Spring says...
1:26pm Thu 27 Dec 12
2 ways in and 1 way out, come off it Ron things have changed since you lived in St Clements Road, then there was 6 ways in and out.