Basingstoke ice rink deal
Council say they've secured the long-term future of the rink
Major refurbishment work is set to begin at Basingstoke’s ice rink following Nice Leisure Limited taking over ownership of the long-term lease.
The move will bring in the investment needed to secure the future of ice in Basingstoke through the programme of repairs needed to the ice pad and upgrading of the rink facilities, led by the Planet Ice brand, as the operator, and funded by Nice Leisure Limited.
The announcement comes after Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, as the freehold owner at the Leisure Park, agreed to Nice Leisure Limited taking over the long-term lease of the rink.
Planet Ice and the borough council understand the importance of minimising the disruption to frequent ice users and their coaches and so Planet Ice has committed to partially re-opening the building as soon as possible, when the ice is repaired, for those that need to train.
Subject to no major issues being found, Planet Ice wants to see the rink fully re-open within a maximum of six months, with the goal of restarting ice hockey fixtures in time for the 2025 season.
Bisons
Planet Ice’s Chief Operations Officer Heath Rhodes said:
“We’d like to thank Nice Leisure and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for their commitment to keeping ice in Basingstoke. Most of all we would like to thank the local skating community for the continued patience and support. We want our skaters and their committed coaches back on the ice as soon as possible and I’m sure the Bison supporters will be eager to see the return of ‘The Herd’ for the 2025/26 season.”
Future
The borough council’s Co-Leader Cllr Gavin James said:
“This is amazing news that will end years of uncertainty over the future of the rink for ice users. It is great to see that repair work is already underway. Working with Planet Ice and Nice Leisure, we have been able to reach an agreement to update the lease so it now protects the building as a rink for at least another 15 years. This secures the future of ice in the town.
“We have talked to the ice users and heard first hand just what a difference it makes to their lives, especially the different types of skaters and their coaches that use it for training. As a Cabinet, our focus has been on getting this agreement done, with all our efforts on keeping ice in Basingstoke.”