A CAMPAIGN for a much-needed ice rink in Hampshire is today under way - backed by professional skating experts and hundreds of local residents.

Plans for a championship arena in Totton come as leisure chiefs in Southampton hammer home the final nail in the coffin for hopes of a rink in the city. A new 2,000-seater facility on the edge of the New Forest has already been given a favourable hearing by Totton town councillors and offers hope to the thousands who have been campaigning for a new ice rink in the area since Top Rank closed its Southampton arena in 1988.

The scheme follows hot on the heels of a decision by city leisure bosses to knock similar local plans on the head.

Chairman of Southampton's leisure committee Julian Price, responding to a call for the council to attract ice rink developers to the city with a view to opening one within two years, said: "We have to accept that a new rink in Southampton just wouldn't be viable. We approached Leisure World about building one as part of their West Quay Road development and they flatly refused.

"If the council were to fund such a project the money would have to be taken out of some other services and we're not prepared to do that."

But it seems Totton has seen hope where its city brethren have not with the outline scheme for the championship-level centre - which, with modern covering facilities, could also play host to other major sports - at Durley Farm between the Totton West and Marchwood by-passes.

Ironically, a written-based discussion document outlining the plan has been produced by a Southampton-based promoter Brian Cox, who pointed out that Hampshire only has two noteworthy rinks at present - one in Gosport; the other in Basingstoke.

Backed by the 340-strong Rushington Manor Residents Association, Mr Cox, who helped organise the 34,000-strong petition against the closure of Southampton's rink over ten years ago, said: "There's no rink in Bournemouth and no rink in Southampton but there are many skaters in the area. This is the way to move forward."

Town council chairman Len Harris said: "It's a brilliant idea. The only hurdle is to see if the land is actually available and if others can come in on the plan."

Local county councillor John Dawson added: "There are a huge number of matters to be considered but ice rinks always excite people's imagination."

What do you think Write to Echo Letters, Southern Daily Echo, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, SO16 9JX.

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