AFC Bournemouth chief executive Alastair Saverimutto has welcomed the plan for an Ice Stadium and sport facilities in Kings Park despite the club’s own ambitions.

The council’s proposal includes football pitches but Mr Saverimutto seemed to think it could work in tandem with the Cherries’ proposed sports academy.

“From a football point of view, we would buy into any idea generating community interest in Kings Park and obviously an ice rink would do that,” said Mr Saverimutto, speaking yesterday at Bournemouth Council’s Economic Overview Panel.

“But going further down the road the issue of whether the parking was suitable would need to be addressed.

“But from our point of view we are very keen to develop the community facilities in Kings Park and that would run in line with what we are doing.”

Mr Saverimutto was invited to speak to councillors as they debated, then approved, designating Kings Park as the site for an Ice Stadium.

It would come with a package of attractions such as indoor and outdoor football pitches, an indoor athletics centre, mini-golf and a climbing wall to help pay running costs.

The Cherries want to build a sports academy in the same park with football, rugby and tennis facilities.

The councillors generally welcomed the Ice Stadium proposals and the meeting heard several developers were interested.

Cllr Douglas Spencer said he struggled to see how the extra attractions could generate money, and noted the Littledown Centre cost the council just under half a million pounds a year.

He asked: “What if this is constructed and after 18 months the operator goes into administration?”