Council boss vows no repeat of ice rink blow

By fcrump

A council chief says he is determined to secure an ice rink for Bath next Christmas.

Local people and visitors have missed out on the chance to skate on a festive rink this year – but plans are already under way to secure one for the city in 2009.

An ice rink was first brought to the city four years ago by Running High Events, which organises the Bath Half Marathon.

The rink, which was enjoyed by thousands in Queen Square, was there for just one season and plans to bring it back have failed.

Plans to put a rink on five-a-side football pitches next to Bath Sports and Leisure Centre were the latest to fall through.

Specialist operator Sygma wanted to run a rink for two months but pulled out of the project amid opposition from staff, governors and parents at nearby St John's RC Primary School.

Bath and North East Somerset opposition councillors told a meeting last week that the city had lost out again because of mistakes in the consultation process.

Opposition leader Cllr Paul Crossley (Lib Dem, Southdown) said: "An ice rink for the city is not something that you can leave till the last minute. It needs to be planned well ahead.

"Now that we have an operator that wants to bring an ice rink to the city, we need to work in partnership to achieve this – starting now."

Cllr Crossley said he thought Parade Gardens was an ideal site.

Cllr Terry Gazzard (Con, Abbey), cabinet member for development and major projects, said that he would start working on the possibility of an ice rink for 2009 straight away and would consider the proposed location.

He said: "A lot of hard work was put into getting the ice rink for this year and it was very disappointing that it could not go ahead.

"We will start looking into the possible sites and do not want Bath to be sold short again next year."