August 4, 2016 5.09 pm This story is over 94 months old

Gainsborough to welcome UK’s first ‘off-ice’ skating facility

Gainsborough will welcome a new skating facility later this year, which will the first of its kind in the UK. The facility, which is called SK8Z, will be developed and operated by Minority and Disability Sports Consulting Ltd (MDSC) and will be located off Heapham Road in the town. It is set to include a…

Gainsborough will welcome a new skating facility later this year, which will the first of its kind in the UK.

The facility, which is called SK8Z, will be developed and operated by Minority and Disability Sports Consulting Ltd (MDSC) and will be located off Heapham Road in the town.

It is set to include a skating pad, cafe and car park and will provide public skating sessions and lessons.

The facility will utilise a type of skate called the “off-ice” skate which provides people with the ability to ice skate without the need for an ice rink.

SK8Z is the brain child of Paralympian Matt Lloyd. He said: “The concept behind SK8Z is that we are able to provide the experience of ice skating without the need for an ice rink.

“SK8Z will be open from 9am every day and will offer a fantastic variety of activities including skating lessons, discos, public skating, birthday parties, schools’ programmes and adult only activities.”

As well as providing Gainsborough and the surrounding areas with a new leisure activity, SK8Z will also create approximately 30 jobs and it is hoped that the facility in Gainsborough will become the Head Office for a chain of similar facilities throughout the UK.

The facility has already secured the necessary planning permission and has also received investment from the Gainsborough Growth Fund.

Councillor Sheila Bibb, Chairman of the prosperous Communities Committee at the Council, said: “On behalf of the council I wish the venture well in its endeavour.”