Councillors preparing for Bournemouth ice rink decision (From Bournemouth Echo)

Well, I would say this is never going to happen, but then I thought the Imax would never come down, so, maybe?.........

I think a temporary 'fun' type ice rink at the BIC could delay the construction of a 'proper' ice rink at Kings Park.

These 'temporary' facilities can have a tendency to become more permanent.....

Pier approach on the old IMAX site. Can be covered with a stage area when gigs are scheduled. 2 birds with 1 stone.

That is a very sensible idea so it will never happen!

What will they do once the novelty wears off? It needs to be a multifunction facility and doesn't need to be camped right on top of the beach!

Well, sir, there's nothing on earth..
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail! ...
What'd I say?

Two developers have expressed an interest - fantastic! Let's work with them to quickly get this much needed facility wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park built and running as soon as possible. We owe it to the children of the area.

Awaiting Bob 49 to come on and tell us a load of wrong information about the site at King's Park and link it to IMAX and surf reef even though those were completely different developments in every possible way...

BIGTONE wrote:
Pier approach on the old IMAX site. Can be covered with a stage area when gigs are scheduled. 2 birds with 1 stone.

Yes and the other businesses around it benefit too. What bars, cafes or restaurants are going to be able to capitalise on it when it's in the middle of no-where?

HRH of Boscombe wrote:

BIGTONE wrote:
Pier approach on the old IMAX site. Can be covered with a stage area when gigs are scheduled. 2 birds with 1 stone.

Yes and the other businesses around it benefit too. What bars, cafes or restaurants are going to be able to capitalise on it when it's in the middle of no-where?

If it was in Kings Park it wouldn't be in the middle of nowhere, it would be in...DUH DUH DUUUUUH ....Boscombe

The Imax site isn't big enough for a full size ice rink. If going in centre of Bournemouth better locations are Winter Gardens or the Nautilus site next to the Pavilion - but you get the problem that you have a load of valuable land desperate to be used by other leisure facilities who will pay more for it because they can be more profitable. Ice Trax didn't want to close at Tower Park but were forced out because the bingo club owners would pay more. Also they would have to charge for Parking in Bournemouth Town Centre which would add to cost for many. Kings Park has free parking nearby, plenty of buses, and offers quicker access from Wessex Way then even the town centre.

Markmag wrote:
Two developers have expressed an interest - fantastic! Let's work with them to quickly get this much needed facility wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park built and running as soon as possible. We owe it to the children of the area.

Awaiting Bob 49 to come on and tell us a load of wrong information about the site at King's Park and link it to IMAX and surf reef even though those were completely different developments in every possible way...

Yes, silly old Bob. Telling us that the council intended building upon Bath Hill carpark/Imax months before the council admitted it.

Telling us before it was built that the surf reef would fail and the project would cost millions more, rather than delivering a profit.

Telling us that there would be no Ice Rink and it was merely a ruse to get change of use for open public space.

Now perhaps markmag could tell us what evidence there is for his claim "wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park". A verifiable survey conducted upon every household and resident in the Kings Park area will do.

Meanwhile back in the real world Cllr Whittakers qusetion is no more than a request for a hammer, to knock the final nail into the coffin of this sham.

Maybe he is not aware of what this might reveal ie there is very limited demand for this hence there being no company coming forward to build on Kings Park.

Still. the council now have planning permission to build on publically owned open space - as with Boscombe seafront and the Imax/Bath Hill Road carpark.

"completely different developments in every possible way" eh,markmag ?

Bob49 wrote:

Markmag wrote:
Two developers have expressed an interest - fantastic! Let's work with them to quickly get this much needed facility wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park built and running as soon as possible. We owe it to the children of the area.

Awaiting Bob 49 to come on and tell us a load of wrong information about the site at King's Park and link it to IMAX and surf reef even though those were completely different developments in every possible way...

Yes, silly old Bob. Telling us that the council intended building upon Bath Hill carpark/Imax months before the council admitted it.

Telling us before it was built that the surf reef would fail and the project would cost millions more, rather than delivering a profit.

Telling us that there would be no Ice Rink and it was merely a ruse to get change of use for open public space.

Now perhaps markmag could tell us what evidence there is for his claim "wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park". A verifiable survey conducted upon every household and resident in the Kings Park area will do.

Meanwhile back in the real world Cllr Whittakers qusetion is no more than a request for a hammer, to knock the final nail into the coffin of this sham.

Maybe he is not aware of what this might reveal ie there is very limited demand for this hence there being no company coming forward to build on Kings Park.

Still. the council now have planning permission to build on publically owned open space - as with Boscombe seafront and the Imax/Bath Hill Road carpark.

"completely different developments in every possible way" eh,markmag ?

It's only a matter of time before The Littledown Centre and the Velodrome in Slades Farm are demolished to make way for housing. Spending all that money building them was just a smoke screen. You see... you'll all see!!!!!

spooki wrote:

HRH of Boscombe wrote:

BIGTONE wrote: Pier approach on the old IMAX site. Can be covered with a stage area when gigs are scheduled. 2 birds with 1 stone.

Yes and the other businesses around it benefit too. What bars, cafes or restaurants are going to be able to capitalise on it when it's in the middle of no-where?

If it was in Kings Park it wouldn't be in the middle of nowhere, it would be in...DUH DUH DUUUUUH ....Boscombe

In the proposed site what businesses will benefit from it then? Boscombe is nowhere by the way. That's the point with my username.

"and the Velodrome in Slades Farm are demolished to make way for housing."


oh dear

oh dearie me

I think you'll find they already have built housing at Slades Farm

Bob49 wrote:
"and the Velodrome in Slades Farm are demolished to make way for housing."


oh dear

oh dearie me

I think you'll find they already have built housing at Slades Farm

This comment just about sums you up.

Did the council use the proposed Velodrome development as some sort of smoke screen to build housing? No, they built a velodrome which unless I'm mistaken is still there, as is The Littledown Centre.

What evidence have you got that there is "very limited demand"? Is it just because no company came forward? That doesn't always mean there is limited demand does it? A limit to how much money can be made maybe but that doesn't equate to limited demand.

Isn't the whole purpose of a sporting development to get kids off the streets and doing sport?

Why the obsession with am ice rink ? They are expensive to operate and I doubt whether Bournemouth can generate enough trade to make it viable. If it is build how long before the firm running it goes bust and tax payer has to buy back the lease and demolish it ?

BmthNewshound wrote:
Why the obsession with am ice rink ? They are expensive to operate and I doubt whether Bournemouth can generate enough trade to make it viable. If it is build how long before the firm running it goes bust and tax payer has to buy back the lease and demolish it ?

...tax payer....buy back.....demolish it.. couldn't possibly happen...could it?

An Ice Rink in Boscombe, ha ha, all the druggies, drop-outs and wino's can get free passes to take a turn around it then hurry on up to Haviland Road to stage a play about how much they love to live beside the seaside (on benefits).
Meanwhile,in the real world, no one else will set foot near the place because of where it is and who frequents it and it will be shut down within a year.

BmthNewshound wrote:
Why the obsession with am ice rink ? They are expensive to operate and I doubt whether Bournemouth can generate enough trade to make it viable. If it is build how long before the firm running it goes bust and tax payer has to buy back the lease and demolish it ?

Actually, it's probably a vary viable project. It is true, they are expensive to operate, but those that have closed down in recent years have done so either because of difficult lease conditions, or because of failing (old) equipment. Never for lack of support.

There is no 'proper' ice rink within about 50 miles of Bournemouth. A modern, full size (i.e. not 'fun-size') properly equipped ice rink, located on the edge of town, with good access to Wessex Way and ample parking could well attract a lot of interest.

Ice Skating is a very popular sport, and has a number of 'styles' to appeal to most people - especially the young. Ice hockey - figure skating - speed skating - ice dancing - pair skating.......
All good excercise, and all good fun.
Being the only really good 'proper' ice rink within a 50 mile radius?... yup, that's viable...

ragj195 wrote:

Bob49 wrote:
"and the Velodrome in Slades Farm are demolished to make way for housing."


oh dear

oh dearie me

I think you'll find they already have built housing at Slades Farm

This comment just about sums you up.

Did the council use the proposed Velodrome development as some sort of smoke screen to build housing? No, they built a velodrome which unless I'm mistaken is still there, as is The Littledown Centre.

What evidence have you got that there is "very limited demand"? Is it just because no company came forward? That doesn't always mean there is limited demand does it? A limit to how much money can be made maybe but that doesn't equate to limited demand.

Isn't the whole purpose of a sporting development to get kids off the streets and doing sport?

eh ?

Why not reply to what I have posted rather than making up stuff to hang your ridiculous squeaks upon ?

Nowhere did I mention the Velodrome until you raised it, or have I talked of it being pulled down ?


The evidence of demand is in your court. You claimed."the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park" yet you have failed to produce one jot of proof of that.

Whereas the closure of ice rinks in Bournemouth and Poole, the failure of Southampton to get off the ground and the recent closure of numerous others around the country suggests there is a very imited demand. A demand that is so limited here that no company has come forward. I would further venture that companies with that type of expertise have some knowledge of the demand.

You talk of sporting development. This is not about that as you well know. It is about the council handing over public land to private developers. And if you had seen the original plans you would know what a sham it all was.

The indications were that planning was being granted to these plans. Plans that were to be carried out by a company who had already agreed to built this centre. Not so, as it later transpired

The plans were farcical. Something that a12 year old would have handed in for his school project if he had no interest and only about two hours to spare.

At almost every level they were flawed, from parking to road access,likewise the buses. That might have explained why a councillor tried to put the decision to the vote within minutes of the meeting being opened - before ANY representations either way could be heard - or the propsals looked at too deeply.

Much as when I posted up that there were intentions to build on Bath Hill Road Carpark there were niave folk howling out in outrage. Yet the council have recently confirmed that intention - though only AFTER agreeing to spend £10m buying and planning to knock down the Imax.

When do you think the idea to build on that whole area was decided ? If you can work that out then the rest, as with Kings Park, will fall into place.

Bob 49 -with everything YOU predicted to come true, I'm surprised you're not sunning yourself on your own private Caribbean island, when your lottery numbers come up week after week. The World According to Bob49...

Bob49 wrote:

Markmag wrote:
Two developers have expressed an interest - fantastic! Let's work with them to quickly get this much needed facility wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park built and running as soon as possible. We owe it to the children of the area.

Awaiting Bob 49 to come on and tell us a load of wrong information about the site at King's Park and link it to IMAX and surf reef even though those were completely different developments in every possible way...

Yes, silly old Bob. Telling us that the council intended building upon Bath Hill carpark/Imax months before the council admitted it.

Telling us before it was built that the surf reef would fail and the project would cost millions more, rather than delivering a profit.

Telling us that there would be no Ice Rink and it was merely a ruse to get change of use for open public space.

Now perhaps markmag could tell us what evidence there is for his claim "wanted and desired by the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park". A verifiable survey conducted upon every household and resident in the Kings Park area will do.

Meanwhile back in the real world Cllr Whittakers qusetion is no more than a request for a hammer, to knock the final nail into the coffin of this sham.

Maybe he is not aware of what this might reveal ie there is very limited demand for this hence there being no company coming forward to build on Kings Park.

Still. the council now have planning permission to build on publically owned open space - as with Boscombe seafront and the Imax/Bath Hill Road carpark.

"completely different developments in every possible way" eh,markmag ?

Umm the council policy for years has been to consider flat car parks as potential sites for redevelopment. Not sure what Mystic Bob has predicted here...

Anyway thats irrelevant because we're talking about Kings Park and Ice Rinks, so back on topic.

As you fully know Bob49, a verifiable survey was conducted on every household in Boscombe. A unusually high number of responses were received for this type of survey, and the vast majority were in favour of an ice rink in Boscombe above everything else. This cannot be disputed, although you will obviously try, this is fact. Not the mystic Bob paranoia, actual fact. That, is the real world of the matter.

You keep on implying that the efforts of many councilors of the years to try and get an Ice Rink in the town are purely for some underhand development process that only you know about. Perhaps you'd like to share the details of this, so we can laugh at you some more?

Actually don't. You exist purely as a comedy distraction from the real issue. There is a chance, however slim, of making a massive sea-change to the leisure facilities Bournemouth can offer and providing a much wanted ice-rink. Let's hope for progress.

Bob49 wrote:

ragj195 wrote:

Bob49 wrote:
"and the Velodrome in Slades Farm are demolished to make way for housing."


oh dear

oh dearie me

I think you'll find they already have built housing at Slades Farm

This comment just about sums you up.

Did the council use the proposed Velodrome development as some sort of smoke screen to build housing? No, they built a velodrome which unless I'm mistaken is still there, as is The Littledown Centre.

What evidence have you got that there is "very limited demand"? Is it just because no company came forward? That doesn't always mean there is limited demand does it? A limit to how much money can be made maybe but that doesn't equate to limited demand.

Isn't the whole purpose of a sporting development to get kids off the streets and doing sport?

eh ?

Why not reply to what I have posted rather than making up stuff to hang your ridiculous squeaks upon ?

Nowhere did I mention the Velodrome until you raised it, or have I talked of it being pulled down ?


The evidence of demand is in your court. You claimed."the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park" yet you have failed to produce one jot of proof of that.

Whereas the closure of ice rinks in Bournemouth and Poole, the failure of Southampton to get off the ground and the recent closure of numerous others around the country suggests there is a very imited demand. A demand that is so limited here that no company has come forward. I would further venture that companies with that type of expertise have some knowledge of the demand.

You talk of sporting development. This is not about that as you well know. It is about the council handing over public land to private developers. And if you had seen the original plans you would know what a sham it all was.

The indications were that planning was being granted to these plans. Plans that were to be carried out by a company who had already agreed to built this centre. Not so, as it later transpired

The plans were farcical. Something that a12 year old would have handed in for his school project if he had no interest and only about two hours to spare.

At almost every level they were flawed, from parking to road access,likewise the buses. That might have explained why a councillor tried to put the decision to the vote within minutes of the meeting being opened - before ANY representations either way could be heard - or the propsals looked at too deeply.

Much as when I posted up that there were intentions to build on Bath Hill Road Carpark there were niave folk howling out in outrage. Yet the council have recently confirmed that intention - though only AFTER agreeing to spend £10m buying and planning to knock down the Imax.

When do you think the idea to build on that whole area was decided ? If you can work that out then the rest, as with Kings Park, will fall into place.

I mentioned Veldodrome and you mentioned housing being built, totally unrelated to the Velodrome, as some sort of indication that you are right.

" You claimed."the vast majority of residents in the nearby area to Kings Park" yet you have failed to produce one jot of proof of that."

No I didn't, that was someone else. You're losing it, just stop!

It has to be said we are hopefully just slowly coming out of the worst economic downturn since WWII, so getting private investment now was never going to be easy, but things worth doing are rarely easy. The sustainability of any development is essential and I believe that is why King's Park was chosen over an expensive town centre site. The council should continue to push for this development and not be put off by the fact it is hard to achieve.

Glashen wrote:
It has to be said we are hopefully just slowly coming out of the worst economic downturn since WWII, so getting private investment now was never going to be easy, but things worth doing are rarely easy. The sustainability of any development is essential and I believe that is why King's Park was chosen over an expensive town centre site. The council should continue to push for this development and not be put off by the fact it is hard to achieve.

A voice of common sense.

Ice Rinks wont work on their own, they need to be encompassed with similar activities to keep the numbers of users up and make them viable. It also requires a massive investment, not one that the council can afford or should even attempt - so as soon as the right developer with the right plan (and money) commits it will happen, without that it wont - simple!