Group plans new ice arena in city
THE UK’s largest ice rink operator has put forward proposals to build a rink at Elland Road in Leeds which could push ahead work on a new loop road in the city.
The Arena Group, which owns eight rinks in the UK, has approached Leeds City Council to build an indoor skating rink with up to 2,000 seats beside Leeds United’s stadium which could be home to a professional ice hockey team.
The council’s executive board will consider the proposals at a meeting next Wednesday.
If the development goes ahead it may push forward the master plan to regenerate part of south Leeds and the western end of a new loop road which would relieve traffic congestion on Elland Road.
The move may also strengthen Leeds’s bid to secure Host City status for the 2018 World Cupas it would form part of the environmental improvements needed around the Elland Road site to meet the criteria to host matches.
The Arena Group operates its rinks under the Planet Ice brand in Birmingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Basingstoke, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Gosport and the Isle of Wight.
Planet Ice runs educational sessions for schools at off-peak times and the Leeds proposal would be available for ‘pay-as-you-skate’ customers and the venue could have a resident ice hockey team.
Other Planet Ice venues offer other entertainment events such as live music, indoor football, basketball, pantomimes and ice shows.
Councillor Andrew Carter, Leeds City Council’s executive board member with responsibility for city development, said: “Although this is only a proposal, even at this early stage the benefits that such a development will bring to south Leeds and the wider city are clear.
“It will kick-start our plans to regenerate the Elland Road site, bring jobs to the area and a permanent city ice rink will fill one of the few remaining gaps in the city’s sporting infrastructure, at no cost to the council. In the middle of a recession, it is also a welcome opportunity for investment in an area of the city which has long been identified as being in need of regeneration. The proposals certainly merit careful consideration.”
If it goes ahead, the ice rink development, which will have its own dedicated parking, could kick-start redevelopment which would ultimately provide 2,750 parking spaces, the new loop road and a new bus terminus and park and ride facility.
Members of the council’s executive board will be asked to approve the proposals from the applicant and grant the company a period of six months exclusivity to progress its ideas for the development.
