Councillors to hear about ice rink progress

The option of giving Basingstoke ice rink a new lease of life in its current location is being explored.

At a virtual meeting tonight (Wednesday 24 June), councillors on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Communities, Environment and Partnerships Committee are set to hear how the council is working with the building owner Standard Securities and operator Planet Ice to investigate the option of a refurbishment.

The current ice rink on Basingstoke Leisure Park is in poor condition with permafrost under the ice pad threatening its future. Ice users and fans of the ice hockey team, the Basingstoke Bison, have been running a campaign to keep ice in Basingstoke.

In December, the council said it would fund structural surveys to determine whether the ice rink could be repaired. Now, councillors at tonight’s committee will be updated on the building survey, the council’s appointment of specialist technical consultants Ice Tech and talks between Standard Securities and Planet Ice to look at what is needed to sort out the ice pad.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Property Cllr John Izett said: “This is encouraging progress towards keeping ice in Basingstoke. Productive discussions with the ice rink building owners Standard Securities and the operator Planet Ice mean they are now progressing actions to identify the full extent of the problems with the rink and to look at refurbishment options. These options will be explored fully with all those involved as part of the plans to redevelop the leisure park.”

As the leisure industry works out ways to restart in the future in line with the next steps in the government’s COVID-19 recovery plans, the plans for the £350 million transformation of Basingstoke Leisure Park are getting back on track.

The council’s development partner NewRiver is working on proposals for the redevelopment of the council’s ageing 60-acre leisure park, creating new activities and experiences to double the size of the existing leisure facilities. To complement the significantly enhanced leisure activities there would also be a designer outlet village, creating an exciting and unique new destination.