August 2, 2017 3.41 pm This story is over 79 months old

‘The real work starts now’: Councillors vote to give Grimsby Ice Rink to the community

North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet has approved a plan submitted by the Grimsby Ice Rink Community Group to secure the facility for the future. Members agreed for the ice rink to be transferred to the group after they prepared a business plan that shows how they intend to fund and manage it. As previously reported,…
Photo: Lincolnshire Reporter

North East Lincolnshire Council’s cabinet has approved a plan submitted by the Grimsby Ice Rink Community Group to secure the facility for the future.

Members agreed for the ice rink to be transferred to the group after they prepared a business plan that shows how they intend to fund and manage it.

As previously reported, at a meeting at Grimsby Town Hall on December 21, 2016, councillors voted to close the rink, stating that it would require significant investment from the council to remain open.

Grimsby currently has three recreational teams which use the rink including Grimsby Ice Bears

The rink at Grimsby Leisure Centre has been open since 1975 and has fought off a number of potential closures throughout the years, however, following a meeting on August 2, the site will now be run by willing volunteers.

On the community group’s Facebook page, a spokesperson said: “We got it!

“It was a unanimous vote.

“The real work starts now!”

Councillor Matthew Patrick, portfolio holder for finance, community assets, governance and tourism, said: “This is a great result and I’ve been impressed by the way the group have worked hard to put together a sound business case.

“This is exactly what we want to see more of – members of the community stepping up and taking on facilities that are no longer sustainable for the council to run.

“We aim to complete the transfer by the end of August and I look forward to seeing it go from strength to strength.”