Southampton ice rink

[Dr Who?]

Now I moved away from Southampton in 2006, and there was always some talk of a new ice rink, and it was always scuppered at the last minute.

 

I think there was talk a few years ago of a bit of wasteland near West Quay, and this was earmarked for the new ice rink, conference centre and arena for music gigs... Not heard anything since.

 

What is the latest, are Southampton going to ever get an ice rink?

[stev2001]

I find this site good for keeping track on proposals and current plans

http://www.invest-in-southampton.co.uk/

[Jonnyboy]

Wasnt there one in the 70s?

 

Its ridiculous having that wasteland sat there for years, why didnt they turn it into a park? Wouldnt cost that much surely?

[Dr Who?]

I put ice rink in the search and no surprise.....

 

http://websearch.southampton.gov.uk/search?q=Ice+rink&site=Invest&client=Invest&proxystylesheet=Invest&output=xml_no_dtd&Submit=Go

[Dr Who?]

Wasnt there one in the 70s?

 

Its ridiculous having that wasteland sat there for years, why didnt they turn it into a park? Wouldnt cost that much surely?

 

Closed in the late 80's think it was 1988. They closed it down overnight and started knocking it down the next day...or something like that. Something underhand so no one could complain.

[Dr Who?]

Full history here, first time I have looked for a few years.

 

Good read.

 

http://www.southampton-vikings.co.uk/

[Joesaint]

Think it will be built in st marys, was looking at a grant from sport england I think but they said no (they didnt think southampton would benifit!) I'm sure the guy will do it though plans look ok and he just needed about an extra million investment.

 

Who know how long though.

[Saint-scooby]

Great idea to build another one, but the injurys that happen at these places are quite horrific, back in the days, if you lost the tips of your fingers it was comical.

I also some some fantastic Verrucas.

[ecuk268]

Closed in the late 80's think it was 1988. They closed it down overnight and started knocking it down the next day...or something like that. Something underhand so no one could complain.

 

It was a private venture and was losing money (apartment blocks are much more profitable).

 

I was told by someone working on the demolition that the ground beneath the rink was frozen solid to a considerable depth (about 10 -12 feet).

[Dimond Geezer]

Think it will be built in st marys, was looking at a grant from sport england I think but they said no (they didnt think southampton would benifit!) I'm sure the guy will do it though plans look ok and he just needed about an extra million investment.

 

Who know how long though.

 

It was supposed to be built on the piece of wasteland next to Central Hall.

The guy proposing it originally wanted to build a small supermarket with offices & flats above. Construction drawings were well advanced & suddenly he pulled the plug owing all the consultants involved a lot of money. The land next door became available and he had plans for the rink drawn up. I'll be very surprised if it happens. The feeling is that he is not expecting to get the grant or planning approval and will be "forced" to build appartments on a much larger site than before, giving him a far better return financially.

[Gingeletiss]

Lol....all these theory's, here's mine. It is supposed to be getting built, along with a snow dome, on the now vacant city recycle site by the bridge, if not, try next to the swimming baths, I've heard that one as well.

[sandwichsaint]

Train from Netley (70p), Saturday mornings at the old top rank out near the old County ground in Northlands Road (60p), Saturday afternoons in the chocolate boxes (£1.30). Saints in the old second division under Lawrie Mac. Me aged 13-14.

 

And the kids today think they have it hard - no iphone, no FIFA, no interweb; we made our own fun then.

[Dimond Geezer]

It was supposed to be built on the piece of wasteland next to Central Hall.

The guy proposing it originally wanted to build a small supermarket with offices & flats above. Construction drawings were well advanced & suddenly he pulled the plug owing all the consultants involved a lot of money. The land next door became available and he had plans for the rink drawn up. I'll be very surprised if it happens. The feeling is that he is not expecting to get the grant or planning approval and will be "forced" to build appartments on a much larger site than before, giving him a far better return financially.

 

Not one to say "I told you so"

 

http://www.wave105.com/news/Blow-For-City-Ice-Rink-Plan-/

 

but ..................

[ecuk268]

Bit on the radio this morning saying that it's more likely to be apartments (what a surprise).

[ecuk268]

Confirmation:

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9602994.Ice_rink_plan_to_be_scrapped_for_flats_due_to_lack_of_funding/

[Dimond Geezer]

This is the one & only time I've been able to claim I was ITK.

[Give it to Ron]

A mate of mine was going to open one where Wickes is in Winchester Road when Allders?

went bust.

He investigated and saw the council were planning to open in West Quay so changed his mind

and bought something else.

[Redondo Saint]

Why start your thread with "now"?

[Dimond Geezer]

Why start your thread with "now"?

 

Well spotted, (I hadn't). I assume you are aware of the relevance of this, although I'm not sure the OP was.

[John Boy Saint]

That was a wheeze down the Ice Rink in Bannister Road all those years back, having your own Skates and the ability to Skate had the same pulling power as having a car, being able to Skate well and having a car.................

Friday and Saturday nights were pure carnage flaying arms and legs, lots of fair maidens to save as they were about to hit the ice, but your mates were also looking for a chance to make you look a prat by dumping you on the ice in passing.

We have one in Basingstoke I often think about dusting the Skates off again as I have never been so fit as I was back then.

[Dimond Geezer]

We have one in Basingstoke I often think about dusting the Skates off again as I have never been so fit as I was back then.

 

It's like riding a bike, you don't forget how to skate. Like you I used to frequent the rink, often after watching the ice hockey. I took my kids to watch the hockey in Basingstoke for the first time about 3 years ago, and thought I'd have a crack at skating afterwards, I hadn't skated since the southampton days, I started a bit nervously, but after a couple of circuits it was just like the old days, although probably a bit slower.

[sotonjoe]

Everyone keeps saying we should have an ice rink as if it's the answer to some eternal problem, but I really think that ship has sailed. Just because something was popular twenty years go, really doesn't mean it would be a money spinner nowadays.

[miserableoldgit]

Everyone keeps saying we should have an ice rink as if it's the answer to some eternal problem, but I really think that ship has sailed. Just because something was popular twenty years go, really doesn't mean it would be a money spinner nowadays.

 

The thing is that when I was a kid we had a stadium that hosted Speedway, greyhound racing and Stockcar racing. Next door we had an ice rink that you could skate at and watch a very good Ice Hockey team. They are all gone. Even the county Cricket is now at West End. What is left in the City apart from Saints? The city is a sporting wasteground.

 

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk

[sotonjoe]

The thing is that when I was a kid we had a stadium that hosted Speedway, greyhound racing and Stockcar racing. Next door we had an ice rink that you could skate at and watch a very good Ice Hockey team. They are all gone. Even the county Cricket is now at West End. What is left in the City apart from Saints? The city is a sporting wasteground.

 

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk

 

I'm not saying there's an awful lot 'to do' by any means. I just think that people claim we need an ice rink in Southampton almost as if it's some sort of tradition; as if there's still a bit of lingering anger about the way the first one was got rid of. I never really got the impression that there are an awful lot of ice rinks in the UK, or that the ones which do exist are raking in the money. I just think people don't really do ice skating any more.

 

As to whether they'd do it if somebody built one in Southampton ... I reckon it's highly likely we'll never find out!

[alpine_saint]

I've been recently getting into the Ice Hockey league over here in Austria, having only seen Southampton Vikings once during my childhood.

 

Ice hockey is a really good sport to watch, and I reckon if a rink can be built, the Vikings re-established, it could turn into a reasonably profitable enterprise.

 

Its really sad that the funding cant be found, and I wonder why Sport England refused the grant (if they have a policy of only helping with inner city sh*tholes, maybe its time they should come and have another look at the state of Southampton)

 

And its about f**king time Southampton City Council slapped down a moratorium on appartment block building.

[Dr Who?]

Train from Netley (70p), Saturday mornings at the old top rank out near the old County ground in Northlands Road (60p), Saturday afternoons in the chocolate boxes (£1.30). Saints in the old second division under Lawrie Mac. Me aged 13-14.

 

And the kids today think they have it hard - no iphone, no FIFA, no interweb; we made our own fun then.

 

Now what would that cost.

 

Train from Netley £3.00?

Bus £2.00

Watch Saints £26-28

Not sure what the skating was, but is about £5 now.

[Dr Who?]

The thing is that when I was a kid we had a stadium that hosted Speedway, greyhound racing and Stockcar racing. Next door we had an ice rink that you could skate at and watch a very good Ice Hockey team. They are all gone. Even the county Cricket is now at West End. What is left in the City apart from Saints? The city is a sporting wasteground.

 

Sent from my HTC Desire S using Tapatalk

 

All replaced by computer games, and computers.

[Dr Who?]

I've been recently getting into the Ice Hockey league over here in Austria, having only seen Southampton Vikings once during my childhood.

 

Ice hockey is a really good sport to watch, and I reckon if a rink can be built, the Vikings re-established, it could turn into a reasonably profitable enterprise.

 

Its really sad that the funding cant be found, and I wonder why Sport England refused the grant (if they have a policy of only helping with inner city sh*tholes, maybe its time they should come and have another look at the state of Southampton)

 

And its about f**king time Southampton City Council slapped down a moratorium on appartment block building.

 

I fell in love with Ice Hockey when I moved to Guildford in 1996, and started watching Guildford Flames. It helped that they wiped the floor with everyone that year, and pretty much are the most successful team.

 

I think it could work in Southampton. Go to the football and then to the ice hockey in the evening. Could run some deals if you go to both. No reason why it could not take off, as it is a fast and exciting sport, and also good for the kids. Missing the boat on this one.

 

Speedway not so sure about!

[Seaford Saint]

Both my kids learned to skate in Basingstoke, seemed popular there so no reason why an ice rink in Southampton would not prove popular

[alpine_saint]

I fell in love with Ice Hockey when I moved to Guildford in 1996, and started watching Guildford Flames. It helped that they wiped the floor with everyone that year, and pretty much are the most successful team.

 

I think it could work in Southampton. Go to the football and then to the ice hockey in the evening. Could run some deals if you go to both. No reason why it could not take off, as it is a fast and exciting sport, and also good for the kids. Missing the boat on this one.

 

Speedway not so sure about!

 

Hmmm. Maybe if Mr. Cortese does have expansion plans for the SMS area, or even designs for a new stadium elsewhere, he might be persuaded that having a Southampton Saints ice-hockey team with their own rink next to the ground would make one helluva powerful brand.....