Skaters Want Answers On Oxpens Site

Ice rink users in Oxford are calling on city council leaders to give them guarantees on the future of their skating facilities.

Last year, it emerged the council was considering knocking down the rink in Oxpens Road so that it could be replaced with new facilities at a multi-purpose sports complex on the ring road.

The proposed new rink would be Olympic-sized and would provide better skating facilities than the current rink, which needs modernisation and is on a site at Oxpens earmarked to become part of the West End redevelopment.

Members of the Ice Rink Users Group want to know how long the Oxpens site will stay open.

Spokesman Richard Humphreys said: "We understand that the council feels the current Oxpens site is not appropriate, and that another facility should be constructed but the different clubs would like an assurance about continuity in terms of skating. We don't want a situation where we're without an ice rink for one or two years."

Earlier this month, the Westgate Partnership, the developers responsible for extending the Westgate Shopping Centre, said the £330m project was on hold for the foreseeable future. The delay could extend the life of the current rink.

In a statement, the council said: "The council is looking at the viability of a number of different future scenarios for the current rink and its possible relocation.

It added: "The council is making every effort to keep the existing facility functional until plans for the Oxpens site have been confirmed, which is now unlikely to be before the end of 2011."

Last year, the council agreed a £350,000 repair package for the ice rink and Temple Cowley Pool.

Ed Turner promised to consult skaters before any decision was taken. He added: "We're completely committed to the future of ice skating in the city.

"We now need to weigh up the various options and see what's viable."

Article originally featured on oxfordmail.net