January 25, 2017 12.58 pm This story is over 86 months old

Fate of Grimsby Ice Rink to be decided by full council

All North East Lincolnshire councillors will have the chance to vote on whether to keep Grimsby Ice Rink open. Plans to close the rink have been paused following a Tourism, Leisure and Culture Scrutiny Panel meeting on Wednesday, January 25. Now the full council will have the opportunity to reconsider the decision, at a later…
Grimsby currently has three recreational teams which use the rink including Grimsby Ice Bears and Grimsby Stormers

All North East Lincolnshire councillors will have the chance to vote on whether to keep Grimsby Ice Rink open.

Plans to close the rink have been paused following a Tourism, Leisure and Culture Scrutiny Panel meeting on Wednesday, January 25.

Now the full council will have the opportunity to reconsider the decision, at a later date.

This comes after the Conservative group on the council challenged the decision of the Labour-controlled Cabinet to close the facility.

Members of the panel also agreed to set up a working group to look at a business case put forward by campaigners who would like the rink to remain open.

Supporters of the rink now have to opportunity to build up a business plan, which would enable them to run the facility for themselves.

A JustGiving page has been set up with an aim of raising £50,000 towards the cost and maintenance of the rink.

Vikki Barnett, a member of the community group, said:

“The money raised will be used to help our bid to run the rink as a community; safeguarding it’s future as a cornerstone of the local community, and to perform essential maintenance and renovation the rink desperately needs.”

The group, which comprises of families and memories of hockey teams and figure skating clubs in the area believe they can keep the rink open without the help of the council.

After speaking with ice provider and industry specialists Ice Tech UK, the group is confident that their proposal to take over the rink is financially viable.