Telford Ice Rink refurbishment plans approved
Ambitious plans for the refurbishment and modernisation of Telford Ice Rink as part of the £250m Southwater development have been given the all clear by Telford & Wrekin Council.
The scheme will include new soft play facilities, construction of a restaurant and bar facing on to the new Main Street and the building of an energy centre to deliver sustainable heat to the Southwater developments.
These plans are in addition to the construction of a range of premier leisure facilities in the Southwater development, including an 11 screen cinema, bars, restaurants and an 85 bedroom hotel.
Work will start on site on the newly approved developments towards the end of May and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, although the Ice Rink is expected to open again in the autumn.
The existing ice rink will be closed during the construction works but a temporary facility will be set up in Southwater Square to ensure people can keep skating during the summer months.
Telford & Wrekin Council’s Plans Board approved the plans at last night’s meeting.
Councillors were told that the Ice Rink, which opened in 1985, was one of only 56 rinks in the UK and therefore a “facility of regional importance” which provided excellent leisure facilities for local families and tourists.
It is expected that the ice rink will remain a key element of the Southwater development and improvements will lead to an increase visitor numbers.
The new energy centre will ultimately help reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the new hotel and cinema by approximately 20 per cent and will improving the existing plant used by the ice rink.
New entrances will also be built to serve the ice rink and new restaurant and will face on to Southwater’s Main Street.
Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: “The Southwater development as a whole will provide new jobs, new opportunities and new wealth for Telford town centre and we see the Ice Rink as a key component of that.
“That’s why we felt it was important that the facility remained within council control as going forward we believe it will be an important income generator for Telford & Wrekin Council.
“The central Telford area will be a major focus in future for housing, employment, recreation and retail through the creation of shops, offices, cafes and restaurants and leisure facilities like the Ice Rink are vital to that.
“I am therefore delighted that this latest major step in the Southwater development has been approved and I look forward to things developing very quickly in the coming months.”
