Planet Ice ice rink in Basingstoke at risk of closing down

One of the few remaining ice rinks in the South of England is at risk of closure due to much-needed repairs, writes Local Democracy Reporter Toby Paine.

Planet Ice has been an integral part of Basingstoke’s community since it first opened in 1998.

But due to uncertainty surrounding its ownership and repair costs the future of the ice rink is up in the air.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which owns the land, leases the rink to Standard Securities. That company gives an occupational lease to Planet Ice, the operator.

Council leader Ken Rhatigan (Con, Tadley North, Kingsclere and Baughurst) said the authority was asked for cash to help repair the rink.

He said: "We’re negotiating with the head lessee and the operator to understand what their commitment is, long term, to Basingstoke ice rink.

"They have had a demand for capital from us – obviously, as a private company, we don’t fund them.

"We want them to come forward with proposals on how they will improve the ice rink and that means not just the ice itself but the café, the changing rooms.

"We hope, because of the number of users, that we can have a clear path to improvement.

"It could last for a continued period but there is a requirement to ensure that the survey encapsulates the risk or failure of the ice.

"It will mean at some stage that they will need to close the facility. It needs to be said that it can’t operate while improvements are being made.

"It can’t just be seen as a leisure facility – but a welfare facility as well."

Stewart Tempest, chairman of the junior ice hockey club, said the ice rink is an integral part of Basingstoke’s identity and community.

"It’s a very busy rink, it opens at 5am and doesn’t close until 1am," he said.

"I do the fixtures for the hockey and we struggle to get ice time on weekends because we’re so busy.

"There’s a heat exchange between the swimming pool and the ice rink that was disconnected and it wasn’t done properly.

"The ice condition is okay but the ice isn’t level so it affects the way you skate, it’s not great.

"We’ve lost viewing down one side of the building so one stand has been condemned and has been for many years.

"Initially they came in for a quote for £1.5m and then the next one was £2.4m to do a total refurbishment on it.

"I think they’ll fix it. If it didn’t make money Planet Ice wouldn’t be running it, if they thought it didn’t make money they wouldn’t be there anymore."

Planet Ice was approached for comment with no response.