Skaters plea to keep town's ice rink
SAVE our ice rink!
That is the cry of users of the threatened facility at Grimsby Leisure Centre, which could close under multi-million pound council proposals to revamp leisure facilities across the borough.
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Youngsters from Grimsby Ice Academy Laura Farrant (13) (left) and Ellie are joined (rear, from left) by Ian Reynolds (Grimsby Lightning), Mr Wardle, Caroline Gowan (Grimsby Ice Academy), Mr Gray and Amanda Raworth-Hayes (Grimsby Ice Skating Academy).
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Ellie Turner (11), from Grimsby Ice Skating Academy, in action on the ice.
Fierce opposition to North East Lincolnshire Council's proposed closure of the ice rink has already built up, with campaigners launching a Facebook petition in an attempt to see it saved.
As reported, under the new plans, Grimsby Leisure Centre, on Cromwell Road, will be axed in favour of a new facility which will be built elsewhere in the town.
However, there are no plans to include an ice rink at the new centre, meaning hundreds of skating fans will be forced to travel to Hull to continue taking part in the sport.
Ellie Turner (11), from Grimsby Ice Skating Academy, in action on the ice.
As well as being open to the public, the rink – which has been open since the 1970s – is home to a number of clubs.
These include:
120 registered players of the Grimsby Ice Hockey Club, known as the Redwings, who have teams at under-12, under-14, under-16, under-18 and senior level.
28 members of the Grimsby Lightning Ice Hockey Club.
Figure skaters, who form part of the Grimsby Ice Skating Club, with around 130 children and adults gathering at sessions on a Sunday.
Various other groups including parents and tots, sledge hockey, and ice dancers.
Sue Wells, deputy director of environmental services at the council, estimates that roughly 80,000 to 90,000 people use the rink each year.
However, she said closer to 400,000 people use the area's swimming pools, making them a priority service.
The plans are now being put out for public consultation.
But this is little consolation to Albert Wardle, 64, of Grimsby, the co-founder of Grimsby Lightning Ice Hockey Club.
He said he was distraught at the idea the ice rink could close.
Mr Wardle said: "It is outrageous that this might happen.
"I have been playing ice hockey at Grimsby for about 30 years, and it is used by so many different people, of different ages.
"It is disgusting that they are thinking of closing it and I absolutely back any campaign to save it."
The Facebook group is called 'Keep Grimsby Ice Rink' and already has 210 members.
One of them is Mark Gray, of Cleethorpes, who coaches some of the young Redwing sides.
He said: "I think it is disgusting that the ice rink might get taken away from us.
"I have been using it for 12 years, and will do all I can to help save it, because it is so widely used by many different clubs.
"The council seems to think that ice hockey is a minority sport – they wouldn't think that if they saw how many people came through here."
Laura Farrant (13), of Cleethorpes, is a member of the figure skating club that uses the rink, and has competed nationally.
She said: "I will do my best to save it because it will be difficult and expensive to have to go to Hull."
Her mother Kerry added: "It will be a lot to ask the girls to go from school to Hull and back regularly, and be ready for school again the next day."
Another figure skater who has competed nationally is Ellie Turner, 11, of Grimsby's Wybers Wood Estate.
She said: "I spend all my time here and we are a bit like a family, so we don't want that taken away."
All the clubs agreed that it would be hugely difficult for them to continue if the rink was to close.
For more local reaction to the plans keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph. To access the Facebook group visit www.facebook.com and search 'keep Grimsby ice rink.
44 Comments
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by aimee, grimsby
Wednesday, March 24 2010, 9:58AM
“you wonder why the majority of people in this dead end town are unsuccessful! because opportunities are taken away from us, thats if we have them in the first place. we need a full size rink to get more out of it and give Grimsby a better reputation i think the real champions at the minute are all the people who rely on this rink starting a career and benefiting the community keeping kids off the street, giving skaters future goals and ambitions which can be very realistic if the opportunity and facilities are available to us... NELC the more you put in the more you get out. i really hope yo have come to a positive decision.”
by PAM STEVENS, holton le clay
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 5:23PM
“looking at the amount of skaters who use the rink should be all that is needed to no we want this to stay”
by Nicholas, Rugby
Tuesday, June 02 2009, 3:33PM
“I may not be in grimsby but I support this cause all the way. There are few enough Ice Rinks in the UK already to why shorten the amount. I have to drive to the next city just to get to an Ice Rink so why force the people of Grimsby to drive all the way to the next nearest rink (which I think is Hull) just to practice and have fun.
Keep the rink, more and more people want to skate and during the summer months its a great get away and family day out.”
by sam, grimsby
Monday, June 01 2009, 3:27PM
“this is just stupid. why would anyone want to shut down the only ice rink in grimsby. sure its not the best by far and is no comparisson to donni dome. but it is all we have here without traveling for miles. what about those without a car who use this facility. they could not go ice skating. come on council get a grip.”
by nathan phillips, grimsby
Sunday, May 31 2009, 8:25PM
“how can you shut the ice rink it has been there for years and has been in mine and many others up bringing it brings a good amount of money to the town and to be honest it gets kids and parents at that point off the streets and in to keeping fit and a fun activity and is helping the obese problem to be solves.. i was a young big lad and it helped me and now i love sports xxxx”
by shanna, grimsby
Saturday, May 30 2009, 8:26AM
“please do not close the rink there is just no point everyone loves it. i go ice-skating every friday and i love it to bits i am not that good but i am getting better. when i go i see lots off smiling faces.please please please keep the ice rink open. its just not fair i mean i really want to learn to skate with out needing to travelle all the way to hull. so KEEP the ice rink OPEN.”
by Lesley, Nottingham
Friday, May 29 2009, 11:32AM
“DON'T SHUT THE RINK
Skating in Grimsby was one of the best parts of my child hood! I can't believe this is going to be taken away from children growing up in Grimsby. Grimsby stands out amongst other towns as it has an ice rink, there are few other towns that can boast that. Ice Skating in Grimsby has helped me amongst many others to stay fit and healthy ! Many skaters from Grimsby are now all over the world taking part in shows or coaching at other rinks! It is sad to think that other youngsters may not get the opportunity to do so. Youths do not want to swim at a Friday night Disco they want to skate, as they can socialise and have fun!
PLEASE DON'T SHUT THE RINK!”
by sam, grimsby
Tuesday, May 26 2009, 11:00PM
“My son is about to turn 16 and plays for the Redwings. He has gone up to U18 s now. He joined the team at the age of 11 when he played for the then ghost. He used to go skating before this as had i did when i was a teenager. The amount of money it has cost me and other mums and dads to pay for them to represent grimsby for games at home and away and the tournaments we travel to and from. The cost of the kit even more for the netminders!(sarah with 2 netminder sons who may i add are a credit to our team) We need this rink even better give these lads a new one, just keep it open. Come on noth lincs, listen to what the town want just for once!”
by Nick, Clee
Monday, May 25 2009, 11:38AM
“There was a comment by the council that says it would build a bowling green! Why?
I play curling, along with two other Grimsby chaps. We play for a Sheffield team. A new rink would be able to offer this sport in this area. Its a fantastic sport enjoyed by ALL ages. Suprisingly, GB is good at it too. Scotland recently winning the gold medal at the World Championships. GB are one of the favourites to win the gold at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics too. If a new rink was built, and included curling circles it would be a great asset with huge potential.”
by Jayne, Grimsby
Monday, May 25 2009, 9:33AM
“First they take away the Winter Gardens, which is now sitting as an unsightly wasteland/car park and now they want to get rid of a perfectly good ice rink? Rather than waste money on getting rid, why don't they save some and revamp what is already there?!”