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Let’s start a new ice age!
2:41pm Friday 8th August 2008
Comments (139) Have your say »
GET your skates on!
That is the message as the Daily Echo today launches a new bid to bring ice skating back to Southampton - 20 years after the city's Top Rank rink closed down.
In 1988 skaters were promised a new venue for skating and since then campaigners have seen ideas and projects come and go, with hopes repeatedly dashed in favour of other major developments.
Now the Daily Echo is again supporting calls from thousands of ice hockey players, figure-skaters and ordinary fun-seekers who want the return of the rink in the city.
Under the banner of United Southampton Skaters, groups that previously called the rink in Banister Park home will march through the city on August 22 and present a petition to the council.
It will be exactly 20 years to the day since the city's ice skating venue was closed, to be replaced by housing, and a previous Daily Echo-backed petition of nearly 35,000 signatures was collected against the closure.
See today's Daily Echo for the chance to win a glide on the ice rink onboard the world's largest cruise ship
Campaigners have already been out on the street, speaking to the public and gathering new signatures to show city leaders just how important an ice rink would be for Southampton.
So far organisers say the fight to bring back skating to Southampton is more popular than ever, and they are hoping to beat the number of people that signed the previous petition two decades ago.
Members of Southampton Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club and Southampton Vikings Hockey Club have taken to the streets of the city to rally support for the campaign and have been overwhelmed with the response.
"We have thousands of people interested, and everyone who stops to talk to us says it is the one thing that Southampton desperately needs," said skating club secretary Edna Boden.
Log on to dailyecho.co.uk tomorrow to download a copy of the petition
"We have been fighting for 20 years, and the demand for a new rink is stronger than ever so we won't give up and the march on August 22 will show this."
C o u n c i l l o r John Hannides, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said he supported the aspirations of the campaign but a new ice rink would depend on finding a company to build and run the rink as a commercial ly viable business.
He said that in his 14 years on the city council he had supported the notion of an ice rink but was not backed by councillors from other parties.
"It is hard for me to comment on why previous administrations have failed to bring a rink to Southampton," he said.
"But I should make it clear it is something we see as a priority.
"We are pulling out all the stops.
There is more action being taken now than there has been in the past ten years," he added.
The Daily Echo will join campaigners in handing the petition to council leaders at the steps of the Civic Centre on August 22 following the march through the city centre, which starts at Banister Park at 1pm.
Your Say YourEcho
Oz, Southampton says...
10:35am Fri 8 Aug 08
Hopefully if the infamous Southampton Ice Rink does happen, the developers will build it in with other facilities... the last one closed due to lack of use, so why would this be any different otherwise?
Dan, Southampton says...
10:36am Fri 8 Aug 08
If you're that desperate to skate then go to Basingstoke!
The reason the last one shut down was because the running costs outweighed the turnover!
Not to mention the amount of space needed for that kind of development could be far better used for other things.
Can you please get over it and put this issue to bed!
Torvill not Dean, says...
10:36am Fri 8 Aug 08
So in other words, there is more chance of hell freezing over (although it would give people somewhere to skate) than an Ice rink being built in Southampton for at least 10 - 20 years.
Instead of going for a small niche market (there are already 3 ice-rinks within 30 miles of Southampton and they are not exactly turning away business), the city should look to build a multi-purpose arena that can accommodate concerts (the biggest earner), exhibitions, indoor sports and can be turned into an ice rink for some parts of the year.
Slow news day, says...
10:41am Fri 8 Aug 08
We don't have an ice-rink in So'ton because;
- not enough people want one, or have the income or desire to use it more than once in a blue moon.
- it isn't commercially viable, hence no prior investment.
I'm all for investment in Southampton. I love this city, but the constant pathetic whining after an ice-rink is incredibly boring and tedious.
I'd love a top-flight rugby union team in Southampton, but that aint gonna happen either. I've come to terms with that. Wannabee skaters, do likewise.
I'm hoping that as the cronies harping on about an ice-rink, remebering the 80's, get older, they'll eventually drop off this mortal coil and we'll hear no more about it. I reckon that's only another 40 years of whinging to put up with. Oh well, I get worse from the wife....
Soton Skater, Soton says...
10:42am Fri 8 Aug 08
Dan, Southampton says...
10:42am Fri 8 Aug 08
J, says...
10:45am Fri 8 Aug 08
Torvill not Dean wrote:I agree with the final bit of icluding the ice rink within a multipurpose facility, but have it as a permanent fixture as the cost of turning it into a rink will be much higher than a permanent one. Looking the basingstoke one, it has a great swimming pool and gym facilities attached to it so it attracts business.
Fantastic timing to start a campaign, just when we are in the start of an economic downturn and when many building projects are being scrapped or mothballed. So in other words, there is more chance of hell freezing over (although it would give people somewhere to skate) than an Ice rink being built in Southampton for at least 10 - 20 years. Instead of going for a small niche market (there are already 3 ice-rinks within 30 miles of Southampton and they are not exactly turning away business), the city should look to build a multi-purpose arena that can accommodate concerts (the biggest earner), exhibitions, indoor sports and can be turned into an ice rink for some parts of the year.
What the council must not do is to build the rink like Gosport, which is a mockery of a rink and a health and safety risk.
The town needs it, despite what people think. We don't need anymore flats, casinos, cinemas etc. We need something that will keep citizens happy and active.
Dan, Southampton says...
10:45am Fri 8 Aug 08
Soton Skater wrote:It closed behind peoples back and sold for development because it was making money you moron!
PLEASE NOTE - our previous ice rink did NOT close due to lack of use or not making money - and there is evidence to back this up! It was closed behind everyone's back and the site sold for property development...
Try and understand the term...'Business' before you make retarded comments!
tango, Southampton says...
10:48am Fri 8 Aug 08
C o u n c i l l o r John Hannides, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said .....
"It is hard for me to comment on why previous administrations have failed to bring a rink to Southampton,"
Easy Mr Hannides. It has nothing to do with previous administrations. Whether Southampton gets an ice rink will depend only on commercial decisions. No company has seen it as viable so, unless SCC pays, it will not happen.
Slow news day, says...
10:49am Fri 8 Aug 08
Soton Skater wrote:What evidence?
PLEASE NOTE - our previous ice rink did NOT close due to lack of use or not making money - and there is evidence to back this up! It was closed behind everyone's back and the site sold for property development...
How much money was it making, and why was it sold then?
Dan, Southampton says...
10:49am Fri 8 Aug 08
But its still a stupid and pointless idea!
THE BRICK, @THE ICE RINK says...
10:50am Fri 8 Aug 08
Oz wrote:wrong wrong wrong. The rink was making a very good profit. Get your facts right before you type the next stupid comment.
Hopefully if the infamous Southampton Ice Rink does happen, the developers will build it in with other facilities... the last one closed due to lack of use, so why would this be any different otherwise?
GIVE US WHAT WE WANT< AND THEN WE@LL GO AWAY
Torvill not Dean, says...
10:53am Fri 8 Aug 08
Didn't the Echo reveal some months ago that Southampton was in talks with the owners of the Milton Keynes snow-dome to build another one here? That would be the logical place to tag a small rink onto. Although I hazard a guess that these days, more people prefer to go skiing or snowboarding than they do skating, which is a dying sport.
Sentient, says...
10:54am Fri 8 Aug 08
GIVE US WHAT WE WANT< AND THEN WE@LL GO AWAY
Mature attitide. Nice one. Don't let the facts get in the way of your argument eh?
Family Man, Bitterne says...
11:00am Fri 8 Aug 08
/taxpayer expense when such a facility is likely to appeal to, in realtive terms, a minority.
What is really needed is a milti-functional facility that could serve as a major concert venue, conference centre (to soak up all those hotel rooms that are being built) and exhibition centre with a major regional impact. Then Southampton could really compete with the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, and yes, even (out of region) Birmingham and London. The transport infrastructure is already in place.
What we don't really need is a dedicated ice rink, even with a swimming pool or gym (both of which we already have in spades).
Andrew, Southampton says...
11:03am Fri 8 Aug 08
So why don't they just put a brief into their next large site that the developer offering on the land must include a rink. This will of course make the land worth less, but if they were serious they would do this.
George, says...
11:06am Fri 8 Aug 08
Family Man wrote:Is "profit" the only reason a facility should be built, then?
If an Ice Rink was such a good idea, and so profitable as claimed, then it would represent a sound and profitable investment for a private developer, but I haven't yet seen them queuing up to but land and develop the site. In fact the exact opposite if the previous rink was sold as a development site. And I for one would object strongly if the council were to go ahead and develop one at public
/taxpayer expense when such a facility is likely to appeal to, in realtive terms, a minority.
What is really needed is a milti-functional facility that could serve as a major concert venue, conference centre (to soak up all those hotel rooms that are being built) and exhibition centre with a major regional impact. Then Southampton could really compete with the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, and yes, even (out of region) Birmingham and London. The transport infrastructure is already in place.
What we don't really need is a dedicated ice rink, even with a swimming pool or gym (both of which we already have in spades).
Family Man, bITTERNE says...
11:14am Fri 8 Aug 08
George wrote:If a private developer develops a site, it is inevitably for profit, private developers do not provide public services unless they are paid or subsidised to do so. They are in it for their shareholders. It is public authorities that build "not for profit" and for public services, and it is taxpayers who subsidise them.
Family Man wrote: If an Ice Rink was such a good idea, and so profitable as claimed, then it would represent a sound and profitable investment for a private developer, but I haven't yet seen them queuing up to but land and develop the site. In fact the exact opposite if the previous rink was sold as a development site. And I for one would object strongly if the council were to go ahead and develop one at public /taxpayer expense when such a facility is likely to appeal to, in realtive terms, a minority. What is really needed is a milti-functional facility that could serve as a major concert venue, conference centre (to soak up all those hotel rooms that are being built) and exhibition centre with a major regional impact. Then Southampton could really compete with the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, and yes, even (out of region) Birmingham and London. The transport infrastructure is already in place. What we don't really need is a dedicated ice rink, even with a swimming pool or gym (both of which we already have in spades).Is "profit" the only reason a facility should be built, then?
The market rules, whatever you may think, unless of course you live in a state subsidised country like the eastern block (was....).
Sara Hodges, Millbrook says...
11:22am Fri 8 Aug 08
George, says...
11:24am Fri 8 Aug 08
Family Man wrote:So, because there's no money in it, it shouldn't be built? Well, I guess we'd better start closing down the libraries as well. They must be costing us poor taxpayers a fortune.
George wrote:If a private developer develops a site, it is inevitably for profit, private developers do not provide public services unless they are paid or subsidised to do so. They are in it for their shareholders. It is public authorities that build "not for profit" and for public services, and it is taxpayers who subsidise them.
Family Man wrote: If an Ice Rink was such a good idea, and so profitable as claimed, then it would represent a sound and profitable investment for a private developer, but I haven't yet seen them queuing up to but land and develop the site. In fact the exact opposite if the previous rink was sold as a development site. And I for one would object strongly if the council were to go ahead and develop one at public /taxpayer expense when such a facility is likely to appeal to, in realtive terms, a minority. What is really needed is a milti-functional facility that could serve as a major concert venue, conference centre (to soak up all those hotel rooms that are being built) and exhibition centre with a major regional impact. Then Southampton could really compete with the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, and yes, even (out of region) Birmingham and London. The transport infrastructure is already in place. What we don't really need is a dedicated ice rink, even with a swimming pool or gym (both of which we already have in spades).Is "profit" the only reason a facility should be built, then?
The market rules, whatever you may think, unless of course you live in a state subsidised country like the eastern block (was....).
Note that I asked "should" rather than "will". I know a private developer won't build it. I don't think that alone should disbar it from being built
a, says...
11:33am Fri 8 Aug 08
Though I'll be one of those people clinging to the edge of the rink for support!
vix 1, North Baddesley says...
11:36am Fri 8 Aug 08
Christoff, says...
11:43am Fri 8 Aug 08
THE BRICK@, THE ICE RINK says...
11:44am Fri 8 Aug 08
Dan wrote:Dan, You are not a nice person whatsoever if you continue to abuse people with your comments.
Soton Skater wrote: PLEASE NOTE - our previous ice rink did NOT close due to lack of use or not making money - and there is evidence to back this up! It was closed behind everyone's back and the site sold for property development...It closed behind peoples back and sold for development because it was making money you moron! Try and understand the term...'Business' before you make retarded comments!
Southampton Ice Rink WAS Making money and the Cheif Executive of the company that owned the rink confirmed this in a letter. They only sold the land for luxury houses.
GIVE US WHAT WE WANT AND THEN WE'LL GO AWAY
Rowley Birkin QC, says...
11:57am Fri 8 Aug 08
Dave, Southampton says...
12:00pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Not saying I am either for it or against it - I would just like to see a strong case for it before any money is invested.
southy, redbridge says...
12:13pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Lowe and behold, St Marys hotseat says...
12:14pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Rowley Birkin QC wrote:What a fine bunch of good looking people as cheer leaders.
That lot in the picture at the top look like they'll end up needing hip replacements if they get on the ice.
Jacob, Soton says...
12:16pm Fri 8 Aug 08
As was previously mentioned, how about an arena that can host events of a significant size?
the vengeful cabbage, says...
12:16pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Tony, Hedge End says...
12:17pm Fri 8 Aug 08
There's plans for development as I understand and parking etc is already provided. It could be more of a 'family' based destination rather than city centre based with all the associated problems. (You can likely work those out for yourselves).
Just a thought.
Bob Flemmin, Southampton says...
12:19pm Fri 8 Aug 08
THE BRICK, @THE ICE RINK says...
12:29pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Rowley Birkin QC wrote:All of those people regularly skate, so they don't need replacement hips. Those who don't skate probably will need one though. Everyone should learn how to skate as you never know when the next ice age is going to be.
That lot in the picture at the top look like they\'ll end up needing hip replacements if they get on the ice.
GIVE US WHAT WE WANT AND THEN WE'LL GO AWAY
southy, redbridge says...
12:30pm Fri 8 Aug 08
a, says...
12:32pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Bob Flemmin wrote:YOU might not want an ice-rink.
We don't want an stupid Ice Rink!! People will use it once the novelty will soon ware off and we'll have an expensive underused waste of space. Its only half hour to Basingstoke or Gosport
The more legitimate activities offered in the City the better - for everyone. Variety for the people, and more for the (bored) youth of today to choose from.
Many people are not able to get to Basingstoke or Gosport as easily as you imply.
Thornhill Madem!, Blud! says...
12:34pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Blud out!
boring, stupid echo says...
12:39pm Fri 8 Aug 08
realist, the real world says...
12:45pm Fri 8 Aug 08
boring wrote:Can't the Echo find something important to write about?
slow news day then
No-one is going to invest in an ice-rink in the current economic climate, especially when it's been proven that this city will not use it enough to make a profit....
Swaythling Boy, Swaythling says...
12:46pm Fri 8 Aug 08
...*grin*
John, Gosport says...
12:49pm Fri 8 Aug 08
nts.............
I cannot believe the short-sighted comments of some so-called residents of Southampton!
Southampton has always strived that it is by far the best and biggest hub city on the South-Coast, so why do some of you deem an Ice Rink in Sothampton to be a non-starter?
Yes, the rink can and should be a multi-purpose facility and this could/would be a very lucrative investment for the city.
International skating events with worldwide TV coverage, music concerts, ballet & performing arts, the list could be an endless opportunity for the Southampton region and would bring very lucrative TV/Media deals with the likes of Dancing on ice and other family orientated shows that are both loved & welcomed by the viewing public all across the country!
Sheffield Ice, has a multi-purpose facility and was Lottery funded. It is an amazing building with state-of-the-art facilities and has 2x icepads under one roof, in which general/public skating is always accessible every day and the other pad is used for a multitude of other sports and events purposes.
http://www.icesheffi
eld.com/
Southampton City would most definitely benefit from a similar project and should be deemed as an urgently required facility at the top of it's agenda for and on behalf of the residents of Southampton.
I give 100% backing & support to this proposal and believe whole heartedly that this is the piece of the jigsaw that has been missing for far too long by Southampton and it's citizens to have a recreational facility which would be 'WELL' received by the majority.
-CAN'T WAIT- I'll certainly be attending with many of my friends and family.
Lastly, well done for those who are still campaigning to get this facility returned to a City that deserves to have it!
Thankyou - John.
Aleister Crowley, Southampton says...
12:52pm Fri 8 Aug 08
southy, redbridge says...
12:55pm Fri 8 Aug 08
like the quays will be to,
Rocket Scientist, says...
1:03pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Dave wrote:They tried that Dave, if that LOST money.
Just a suggestion, why not set up a temporary Ice Rink (like the one in Winchester at Christmas) in a marquee somewhere and then you can get an idea of the demand. I personlly have never felt an overwhelming urge to slide around on ice, and the facility in Basingstoke seems more a collection point for the local youth than for skating. Not saying I am either for it or against it - I would just like to see a strong case for it before any money is invested.
BUT if it was a multi-use complex, which could stage other events, it could work very well. People would then have a reason to visit the City which would generate income elsewhere, so we could all benefit.
Bambi, says...
1:07pm Fri 8 Aug 08
I cannot believe the short-sighted comments of some so-called residents of Southampton!
So-called?? Are they not real residents, if they don't want an ice rink? Where do they magically live then?
Sir Raleigh Grifter QC, says...
1:07pm Fri 8 Aug 08
It's the cycle-speedway we want back.
What do we want? - CYCLE-SPEEDWAY!
When do we wan'it? - NOW!!!
southy, redbridge says...
1:10pm Fri 8 Aug 08
the vengeful cabage, says...
1:12pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Sir Raleigh Grifter QC wrote:No pedal loving freak we want a racetrack like the Nurburgring only more difficult.
Sod the Ice Rink. It's the cycle-speedway we want back. What do we want? - CYCLE-SPEEDWAY! When do we wan'it? - NOW!!!
We could get the Brittish GP and think of the revenue it would generate. Get the chav morons in their 1.2l corsas off the road and give the council the chance to put up all the traffic lights they could ever want. Give us a Racetrack you bumbling morons.
Barry Briggs, says...
1:12pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Plum Pudding, Swamptown says...
1:22pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Barry Briggs wrote:I suppose you are being a bit more realistic, than for example, expecting a decent premiership football team to be based in Southampton!!
Bring back Southampton Saints Speedway team. Was always more popular than boring ice skating.
Seb, says...
1:25pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Jonny7, Bitterne says...
1:27pm Fri 8 Aug 08
I do like to see kids have somewhere else to go at weekends, during school holidays and have a bloody good time though . Whether the old top rank rink made any money or not 20 years ago is irrelevant, Cinemas didn't do too well then either, they knocked most of them down as well! Look at them now. Not the old tired buildings frayed around the edges due to lack of investent but bristling with new technology and materials.
Out of interest, If you want to see how far you can take an ice rink, have a look at the globe in Stockholm. I'm not suggesting Southampton builds something as grand as that but it would be bloody nice!
Phil, says...
1:28pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Seb wrote:What will? The Echo campaign? Did you even read the story?
Well, this'll stay open for about 7 months until we get bored with it...
SloppySharon, Swaythling says...
1:32pm Fri 8 Aug 08
I know Saints ain't been that great in recent seasons but to start supporting Man Utd & The Skates as well? That ain't good....
GAIR - Gis An Ice Rink - would have been so much better.
Bob Flemmin, Southampton says...
1:39pm Fri 8 Aug 08
a wrote:Why not? There is a frequent Train service. If people are really desperate to use an Ice Rink
Bob Flemmin wrote:YOU might not want an ice-rink.
We don't want an stupid Ice Rink!! People will use it once the novelty will soon ware off and we'll have an expensive underused waste of space. Its only half hour to Basingstoke or Gosport
The more legitimate activities offered in the City the better - for everyone. Variety for the people, and more for the (bored) youth of today to choose from.
Many people are not able to get to Basingstoke or Gosport as easily as you imply.
I'm sure they can deal with a half train journey and a bit of a walk at Basinstoke.
Charles Wayman, Southampton says...
1:47pm Fri 8 Aug 08
It will be exactly 20 years to the day since the city's ice skating venue was closed, to be replaced by housing, and a previous Daily Echo-backed petition of nearly 35,000 signatures was collected against the closure.
Now the Daily Echo is again supporting calls from thousands of ice hockey players, figure-skaters and ordinary fun-seekers who want the return of the rink in the city.
Anyone else see the irony here?
Lauren, southampton says...
1:49pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Rupert Lowe, Soton says...
1:54pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Or buy some In-line skates (Isn't that the same)
southy, redbridge says...
1:56pm Fri 8 Aug 08
scruffy onions, greengrocers says...
1:56pm Fri 8 Aug 08
Balloon festival.
Carnival.
All scrapped.
What have we got left to do?
Ever tried using public transport within the city? Thats bad enough without travelling to Basingstoke to skate.
Stop building flats and bring it all back!
gorf, soton says...
2:07pm Fri 8 Aug 08
build an adventure swimming pool like @ tower park!!
ice skating went out of fashion years ago why do you think ice rinks all around the country have been closing down??
because its boring
ice dancer, Mount Placid says...
10:33am Fri 8 Aug 08