Ice to see you! Skaters chill out

7:40pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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SKATING on thin ice is nothing, try skating on no ice at a new skating rink that has just opened its doors in the town centre.

Ice Blok is the country’s first permanent synthetic ‘ice’ rink based at the Cockhedge Centre and opened last week, letting youngsters take to the floor without the need to get wrapped up.

“There is nothing for kids to do, we thought it was something exciting and different.”

Dale Wilson, owner of the rink

But the rink has suffered some setbacks before it opened with the rink getting flooded while under construction.

Dale Wilson, the owner of the rink, said: “Water started bubbling up from the floor, it put it back quite a bit.”

But now the rink is open and business is booming.

“The initial response from parents and children has been great.

“There is nothing for kids to do, we thought it was something exciting and different.”

The ice rink has facilities for disabled people to help them get on the ice with the use of a specially adapted chair with blades that can be pushed around on the ice.

They have also launched a top-up card for youngsters which can pay for skating sessions and snacks and children don’t need to take cash with them.

Ice Blok is open Monday to Saturday, 10.30am until 10pm and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.