As ice sports (Figure Skating and Ice Hockey) are a minority sporting activity in Great Britain, it appears to be difficult for Councils and Clubs to get investors to fund new ice rinks or ice arena's.  Over the last few decades there has been numerous ice rinks closed down due to various reasons, one of which maybe that the land it sits on is more valuable for other [...]]]>

Are Ice Rinks really that expensive to build and maintain ?

As ice sports (Figure Skating and Ice Hockey) are a minority sporting activity in Great Britain, it appears to be difficult for Councils and Clubs to get investors to fund new ice rinks or ice arena's.  Over the last few decades there has been numerous ice rinks closed down due to various reasons, one of which maybe that the land it sits on is more valuable for other uses.

With new technology in building materials such as insulation and advances in reusable engery, you would have thought it would be a lot more economical to run an ice rink today, once the building is complete and up and running.  If the ice rink had a viable location with good transport links and ample parking you would have thought this could be a more attractive leisure activity to the younger population compared with swimming as one example.

Not knowing anything about sustainable refrigeration and ground source chillers for ice rinks, it would be nice to hear if the international market leaders have  sucessfully reduced the engery consumption of the refrigeration for ice rinks in the last decade.  This may help to squash fears of local councils and investors that an ice rink facility is just a energy drinking money pit.

There is a Leisure Centre in Sutton-in -Ashfield in Nottinghamshire that has a small ice rink that reuses the heat produced from the ice regrigerator reuses the energy to heat the swimming pool at the centre.  This centre opened in 2008, so this refrigeration system may have moved on in the last six years or so.  Possibly opening up new reusable energy solutions with ground source technology.

Ice rinks and arena's in North Amercia are now installing solar panels to produce energy which supplies between 20 to 30% of the electricity required to operate the whole complex.  This is another source of power that would not have been considered in the last few decades and with the advances in solar power technology this should be very benfical to the ice rink chiller industry. 

Lammas Leisure Centre in Sutton-inAshfield Ice Rink, reusing wasted energy.

Without stating the obvious, as a comparsion what are the build and running costs of a swimming pool complex compared to ice rink.  Take away the Zamboni, it must be similar and there are hundreds more swimming pools about.  Lammas Leisure Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield must be the latest market leader in Britain to have a ice rink and swimming pool utilising the unwanted energy under one roof.  Surely this type of facility can be copied in other Counties where there is a demand and history in Ice Sports.

We all know cities around Britain are crying out for replacement ice rinks or new facilities all together.  Before the financial crisis even hit around 2008 there was still a reluctance to invest in ice rinks and arena's.  If you search through the internet you will find several rinks that have been shut down with big ice sport communitites, infamously Durham or proposals that have never been started.  It would be great if the latest ice rink plant manufacturers could prove and promote to the people at the top, that ice making is more sustainable so that Great Britain can have more ice rinks again.

It sounds like we could be losing another ice rink at Bristol this year and we most stop the decline and push ice sports more at a wider audience.  It would be great to think Sport England was backing this type of sport more that it has in the past.  The cost of participating ice sports needs to be kept at a reasonable level too, encouraging  all walks of live to get involved and keep fit.  This financial hurdle could be offset with off ice events like they do in the Arena venues now, however the arena size must be sustainable for the local population.

We need the top ice rink chiller companies knocking on our County Council doors now, promoting the latest sustainable ice producing technologies so that the Councils can find a suitable investor for new ice rinks.

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I am a sure the EIHL still has many issues to iron out, but with the Stars and Flyers adding to the Scottish contingent its seems on the face off it that things are looking brighter for some teams and the EIHL as a whole.  With a new league sponsor, attendances on the up in the festive period and results getting closer between [...]]]>

Is the British Elite Ice Hockey League heading towards a stable future ?

I am a sure the EIHL still has many issues to iron out, but with the Stars and Flyers adding to the Scottish contingent its seems on the face off it that things are looking brighter for some teams and the EIHL as a whole.  With a new league sponsor, attendances on the up in the festive period and results getting closer between the bottom and top teams, could this be start of some form of stability in the top ice hockey league in Britain.

British Ice Hockey - The EIHL - Playoff Finals in Nottingham in 2011

I hope so, and it would be nice for the newer teams to annouce that they can plan and fund future seasons in the EIHL and help shape it's future. If the EIHL can make it through the bad economic years there could be a major sponsor interested at the end of it, who knows.

EIHL Sheffield Steelers Home Ice Rink

If a British north and south conference league system was setup, what are the chances of a team from Ayr taking part again for example, I know they have their arena knocked down for some reason. Just wondered if there was interest generating again now there are four Scottish teams in the league and they seem to have a good youth system up at the local rink.

We may then even have the CHL to look for in years to come for one or two of our top teams. Or is that pushing it too far for Ice Hockey in Europe.  I would prefer a champions league similar to the football setup as a format, however it now seems that a IHF Champions League is years away which is a great shame for Ice Hockey.  For some reason ice hockey has never competed with football in most of Western Europe.

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Watch this video on YouTube.

Red Bull Crashed Ice combines elements from ski cross and ice hockey. The athletes have to face high vertical drops and various tricky obstacles on a Crashed Ice track. If you want to make it to the top, any health concerns have to be completely thrown out of the window!

Red Bull's Crashed Ice

Québec highlights - Red Bull Crashed Ice - World Championship Series 2011

Red Bull Crashed Ice combines elements from ski cross and ice hockey. The athletes have to face high vertical drops and various tricky obstacles on a Crashed Ice track. If you want to make it to the top, any health concerns have to be completely thrown out of the window!

If you hadn't seen this yet, you must check it out.  Just like BMX racing and Boarder Cross theme, this sports attracting some top ice hockey players to compete for some big prize money and is gaining in popularity every year.  Lets see what 2012 Red Bull Championship has to offer this Winter.

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If you dont like ice or inline skating or don't feel confident enough, you still have the chance to play another form of fast hockey on a smooth surface called Deck Hockey.

This form of hockey is played on an indoor court usual at one of the local Leisure Centres. You use the same sticks as Ice Hockey and play with a special ball or puck, normal only minimal protective gear is required which brings down [...]]]>

If you dont like ice or inline skating or don't feel confident enough, you still have the chance to play another form of fast hockey on a smooth surface called Deck Hockey.

This form of hockey is played on an indoor court usual at one of the local Leisure Centres. You use the same sticks as Ice Hockey and play with a special ball or puck, normal only minimal protective gear is required which brings down the cost of playing the game.

More of a report on the local scene will be published very shortly, however if you want to promote your team or setup please free to seen me an article.

To start your kit off you may find a bit of suitable kit below.

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1

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Due to this amazing cold weather (for some), The Royal Caledonian Curling Club may have the rare and great opportunity to hold the  Bonspiel or Grand Match of Curling on the Lake of Menteith. It is set to be the venue and the Curling Club meet next week to make a decision on the event.

This Lake is ideal for this event as it is fairly shallow and needs approximately  over 7" to be safe.

Looking at the weather [...]]]>

Due to this amazing cold weather (for some), The Royal Caledonian Curling Club may have the rare and great opportunity to hold the  Bonspiel or Grand Match of Curling on the Lake of Menteith. It is set to be the venue and the Curling Club meet next week to make a decision on the event.

This Lake is ideal for this event as it is fairly shallow and needs approximately  over 7" to be safe.

Looking at the weather forecast the cold spell is set in for the near future.

We would love to have a local perspective on this event and the history behind it, its just a shame we can not make it up there if it goes ahead.

Please send in any photos you have of this Lake.

Good luck  with the weather!, however it may be on our side this year.

Please check for updates and future events at The Royal Caledonian Curling Club website

Now the Winter Olympics is over and with all the positive media coverage Curling has had again, it may boast the sports popularity in area's where fresh blood is needed. It was sad to find out when I was stopping in Pitlochery this Winter that their rink had to close a couple of years ago, partly due to lack of income.

Hopefully things will pick up once again.

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This Winter Fen Skating makes a great return to the wetlands of Cambridgeshire

Talking to some of the locals, this is the earliest they can recall Ice Skating on the  Fens in December.  With temperatures as low as -12 the ice has been in great condition this last week for a glide about in the open air.

Ice-Skating on Welney Wash, Cambridgeshire Early Winter on [...]]]>

FEN-TASTIC ICE SKATING ON CAMBRIDGESHIRE'S FENLANDS

December 2010

Welney Wash - Cambridgeshire

This Winter Fen Skating makes a great return to the wetlands of Cambridgeshire

Talking to some of the locals, this is the earliest they can recall Ice Skating on the  Fens in December.  With temperatures as low as -12 the ice has been in great condition this last week for a glide about in the open air.

Ice-Skating on Welney Wash, Cambridgeshire Early Winter on 8th December 2010

It was amazing to see all ages participating in this past time and it was plain to see it has been a part of their lives for many years, for the locals.

The Ice had been used all week, so an ice track had been scratched in by Wednesday.

Ice Speed Skating on Welney Wash in Cambridgeshire on 8th December 2010

The ice at Welney Wash on 8th December was hard and only slightly bobbly and great for having a blast in the fresh air.  We even had loads of space to practice our Ice Hockey skills down the other end of the ice without disturbing the Speed Skaters.

Ice Hockey Training on Welney Wash, Cambridgeshire on 8th December 2010

You can check on the upto date ice conditions at various skating locations on Gileslandscape Website.  It has great information and prints on the History of Fenland Ice Skating.

Whittlesey Wash - Cambridgeshire

We then headed up to Whittlesey to see what the conditions were like there, we were amazed by the size of the natural ice rink.  I wonder if anyone has ever player Bandy Hockey on there as it must be big enough to have at least two pitches on it.

Whittlesey Wash, Cambridgeshire - Super Sized Natural Ice Rink

Parking was directly opposite the ice, which was very handy.  We could not believe the size of this area and all skateable.  The ice conditions here were not as good as Welney on this particular day as the snow had frozen on to the ice and made it uneven in some places along with the wind.  It was that big an area, there was one lad Ice Sailboarding.   

The local  Ice hockey players had scraped a smooth playing surface for their Rec. Ice Hockey Matches and brought some goals down too.  You would of thought you were in Canada and not just on the outskirts of Peterborough, the Lads and Girls seemed to have just finished work and had come straight down here for a game of Ice Hockey in the open air.

Ice Hockey Rink at Whittlesey Wash, Cambridgeshire on 8th December 2010

There was Parents with their Ice Skates on pulling their young children along on sledges, children who had just finished School and College and come straight down for a free Ice Skating Session, it was all great to see.  Just hope it comes back soon.   

Ice Sailboarding in to the Winter Sunset at Whittlesey Wash

Lincolnshire Fens

Does anyone know the last time people skated the Fens of South Lincolnshire, I have heard they use to skate Baston Fen.  Is it still skated on or has the flood waters changed over the years.

Future Ice Skating Locations

I cannot see why this does happen more across the country, as all you need is a cold spell for about approximatelty one week and a flooded field or grassland of swallow water for safe Ice Skating.  Howvever the fun is taken away when our society moves towards the Claim Culture, so not many land owners are willing to take the risk of liability claims which could occur.  Which is understandable, however there must be ways around this because so many people are missing out on all this Winter Fun.

Be on the look out for swallow flood plains which could be suitable for Ice Skating in the extra cold winter. 

WARNING

A very important detail, is that these area's are flooded fields or grassland where the water depth is generally around one foot deep and the ice is nearly as thick at present.  However be very aware of perimeter drainage ditches and streams that can increase the depth of the water below.  Please study the fields before they are flooded where possible to have an understanding of the possible danger area's once they are flooded and skateable.  The darker the colour below, the deeper the water is and if you hit the ice with a stick hard it will make a pinging sound if it is thin.

Never Skate Alone.

Never Ice Skate on Deep Water's including River's, Canals or Dykes.

Keep Safe and Enjoy the safe ice whilst you can !

If you have any tips on testing the ice, please post them below.

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Please find below a list of Lakes that can be skated on during the early Winter months.

Coming Soon !

With all these cold temperatures for a prolonged period, which is unusal for these days, I was wondering if we had anything in this country that could compare to the frozen Lakes of Central Europe in Winter where you can skate and have fun on a SAFE surface.

Whilst 'skating' the World Wide Web I stumbled across the Fenland Skating Championship which for many years ago was held on the Fenlands on a more regular basis.

This may have been [...]]]>

With all these cold temperatures for a prolonged period, which is unusal for these days, I was wondering if we had anything in this country that could compare to the frozen Lakes of Central Europe in Winter where you can skate and have fun on a SAFE surface.

Whilst 'skating' the World Wide Web I stumbled across the Fenland Skating Championship which for many years ago was held on the Fenlands on a more regular basis.

This may have been one of the places where British Speed Skating and forms of  Bandy Hockey gained popularity and developed.

Its lovely to see the local communities are keeping these fun pastimes alive and well in our changing environment.

Please check out this website Fenland Skating for locations and conditions.

If you have any photos or stories to share please feel free to add it to this site, as we would love to hear from you.

Keep the passion alive !

Get yourself geared up ready for next year.

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