Entrepreneur Plans New Ice Skating Spectacular
A TYNEMOUTH hotel owner is planning to build Europe’s largest artificial open-air ice skating rink by Christmas.
Ronald Scott, who owns No. 61 Guest House and Tea Rooms on Front Street in Tynemouth, is proposing to construct the all-year rink on the existing children’s play area in Tynemouth Park. It would be next to a mini-golf course which he built four years ago.
Last night Mr Scott declined to comment, but an application submitted to planning chiefs at North Tyneside Council said the rink would measure 32m by 17m. It would also be accompanied by a smaller skating arena for children and if it got the go-ahead it would be the biggest outdoor skating venue in Europe.
The surface of the ice will employ innovative technology so it can be used all year round.
Coun Linda Arkley, a former mayor of North Tyneside, last night lent her support to the scheme, saying it would draw tourists to the region.
She said: “The golf course has done extremely well over the years. This new proposal certainly sounds very interesting and very innovative. It would bring a lot more people to the North East, especially North Tyneside and Whitley Bay. It offers something for tourists to do while they are in the area. It sounds absolutely fantastic.”
It is said the venue could be constructed in just three weeks and the application could be pushed through in time for the Christmas period.
Ice hockey, figure skating and curling are all suggested uses for the new facility.
Adults would be charged £5 an hour to use the venue, while children are likely to be charged £3. In the application, which will be considered by the council, Mr Scott claims the facility would provide activities for local youngsters and deter anti-social behaviour.
The report states: “The ice rink, which at over 800m squared would be the largest permanent synthetic ice rink in Europe, would provide a top quality all year round facility for residents and visitors to the region. A major tourist attraction.
“The existing play area would be transformed at no extra cost to the council into an attraction on a par with the adjacent themed adventure golf course. It would be our intention to operate the rink until 9pm each evening and so provide a focal point for youngsters after school, giving them a place to interact socially as well as getting some exercise.”
In 2004 Mr Scott invested more than £100,000 building the mini-golf course at the site. The former civil engineer designed and constructed the innovative attraction.
And the newest plans mark the latest in a string of developments by his company Longsands Ltd.
In his planning application he states: “As a company Longsands Ltd have been involved in Tynemouth Park since 2003.
“Large sums of money have already been invested in the park by the company and since taking over its popularity and use has massively increased.”
Nigel Bryant, chairman of the Tynemouth Village Association, said he had not seen the plans and could not say whether he would be for or against the proposal.
He said: “I would be surprised if it got approval because it is a conservation area. There is an ice skating rink at Whitley Bay and I don’t know if the area could support two. There is already a severe parking problem in Tynemouth and this could make it worse.”
One North East last night refused to comment on the scheme.
Article originally featured on www.journallive.co.uk
