New Ice Rink is a Priority in Leisure Plan - Council Promise

A NEW ice rink WILL be a priority in the council's plans for the future of leisure facilities in North East Lincolnshire.

The pledge from the council's ruling Liberal Democrat group will delight thousands of campaigners, who have been fighting against proposals to scrap the facility as part of an £18-million revamp of leisure services in the area.

As reported, the council had planned to close Grimsby Leisure Centre – which has been the rink's home since the 1970s – and relocate it to another area of the town.

However, until now, there had been no firm plans to replace the aging rink, prompting 3,162 Grimsby Telegraph readers to sign an on-line petition at www.thisisgrimsby.co.ul/icerinkpetition and thousands more to put their names to a petition being handed out by campaigners across the town.

Last month NELC's Deputy Director of Community and Support Services Sue Wells told the Grimsby Telegraph that an ice rink was still a possibility, if it received commercial backing.

Now, council leader Andrew De Freitas has gone one step further by announcing that the ruling group has instructed officers to actively seek a private developer for a new rink.

Coun De Freitas said: "It is our intention that an ice rink should be provided within a development that would include a swimming pool. It will bring people into the area and that will be a big plus."

Deputy leader Tony McCabe added: "This wasn't a done deal. It was a public consultation which has confirmed how important the ice rink is to people."

The announcement was welcomed by those on the campaign committee.

Sarah Ashford-Smith said: "It's fantastic news that will be gratefully received by the committee.

"We are so relieved that the council is listening to us and realises that the area needs an ice rink.

"It's a really positive move, but we won't stop campaigning until we see a contract in writing."

Nick Coulbeck, from the Grimsby Lightning ice hockey team, said: "It's a step in the right direction. I think the council has been taken aback a little bit by the support we have received, and I just hope we can entice a private investor in."

Ice skating coach Caroline Gowan added: "We just need to make sure things keep moving forward.

"For an ice rink to be built would take about three years, so in two years' time we want there to be a plan in place."

Sign the petition

You can still add your support to the campaign by signing the petition at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/icerinkpetition.

Article originally featured on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk