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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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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ESPN NHL 2K5 Xbox 2004    £1.26

ICE HOCKEY STICK Easton Shoot Out Shaft TWO right hand blades Gloves    £19.99

Ice Hockey Kit    £11.18

52568 UNCATALOGED NASSAU LIONEL OPERATING ENGINEERS ISLANDERS HOCKEY TOFC    £56.95

Ice Hockey Nintendo NES Video Game Sports Series 1988 Entertainment System    £5.06

2000 2001 Upper Deck 500 Goal Piece of History Phil Esposito    £12.66

NHL Slapshot Game Hockey Stick Wii 2010    £3.79

Easton Synergy SE2 JUNIOR Ice Hockey Stick LEFT IGINLA    £62.04

Easton Synergy SE2 JUNIOR Ice Hockey Stick LEFT SAKIC    £62.04

Ice Hockey Original Nintendo Game Gently Used Low Ship    £.60

ICE HOCKEY STICK Easton Shoot Out Shaft with TWO right hand blades    £9.99

NHL 06 XBOX COMPLETE POLISHED TESTED GOOD    £1.86

REEBOK 4K ICE HOCKEY STICK LEFT HANDED    £19.99

Backyard Hockey Kids Sports Sim New PC XP    £3.16

NHL 2K8 XBOX 360 ICE HOCKEY NHL 2008 NEW SEALED GAME    £9.99

Shawn Horcoff Mixed New NHL Hockey Cards Lot Of 20    £1.42

Ice Hockey Puck Stick Helmet Gloves Skates Gear Extra Long Blue Fleece Scarf NWT    £8.20

Budweiser stein limited edition NOS ice hockey Anheuser Busch inc in box    £3.80

ESPN NHL 2K5 Xbox Complete X box GREAT    £3.34

ESPN NHL 2K5 Xbox w Box X box    £2.77

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Ice Hockey for Adults does not always have to be that expensive, when you compare it to Golf for instance. It will get you alot fitter, you don't have to go around fighting your components all the time too.

At our local rink you can play on the main arena for just £8.00 per session, which isn't bad as you will find it hard to play on any professional football club's pitch for that amount, or [...]]]>

Ice Hockey for Adults does not always have to be that expensive, when you compare it to Golf for instance. It will get you alot fitter, you don't have to go around fighting your components all the time too.

At our local rink you can play on the main arena for just £8.00 per session, which isn't bad as you will find it hard to play on any professional football club's pitch for that amount, or even get the chance to play on it at all.

Recreational Ice Hockey

For a new entry level full protection kit you can be looking at around £350.00. Sticks start at about £15.00, socks £10.00, Tops from £30.00 and ice skates start around £50.00. So compare this to a new set of Golf clubs and clothing and shoes its not that bad and is a good comparsion to put to your partner if you have to negotiate the outlay.

To make the sport cheaper to get into, it may be worth buying used equipment off Ebay or from Ice Hockey Team forums as there are always posts advertising used ice hockey kit.  A full protective kit (without skates & stick) could cost you in the region of £120.00 and can easily be washed !

Some of the professional Ice Hockey teams at the end of the season, sell off equipment at great prices for top end kit, so that's another avenue to check out.

Your may be able to pick up some bargins below, however always ask specific questions about there condition before buying.

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ThermaBlade Hockey Skate Blades    £34.82

New DR PC555 ice hockey goalie cup jock strap junior jr    £16.45

Ice Hockey Puck Black    £1.20

Used Ice Hockey Socks 25 26 28 The winner choses ONE pair of Socks    £5.06

New Ice Hockey Socks 25 White with red black and yellow stripes Made in USA    £6.96

New Easton Stealth Black S17 Junior Ice Hockey Skate Size 5R    £94.96

Itech Ice Hockey Garment Bag NEW    £17.95

Itech Ice Hockey Accessories Bag NEW    £17.95

Easton Ultra Lite jr hockey replacement blade RH    £12.02

Easton Synergy jr replacement blade RH Iginla    £19.24

Warrior Vandal Player Bag Ice Hockey Senior Kit Bag NEW    £44.95

Ice and roller hockey pro skate socks    £22.15

2 pack Easton EQ50 Iginla 87 flex Right Ice Hockey Sticks grip brand new    £151.95

NEW Easton Accuracy Jacket Large Warm Up Adult Ice Inline Hockey    £18.99

NEW Easton Accuracy Jacket XL Warm Up Youth Ice Inline Hockey    £18.99

NEW Easton Instigator Jacket Large Warm Up Adult Ice Inline Hockey    £18.99

2 pack Bauer APX Stamkos 77 flex Right Ice Hockey Sticks grip brand new    £221.59

NEW Easton Sports Jacket Medium Warm Up Adult Ice Inline Hockey    £31.65

TPS ice hockey goalie neck bib throat protector senior    £15.82

7 8 Ice Penguin Hockey Sister SCORE 10 yards grosgrain ribbon 4 Bows    £4.59

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If you enjoy watching Ice Hockey or like playing the NHL games on the latest games consoles, then it's well worth considering having a go at playing Ice Hockey at your local Ice Rink.

It will keep you very fit and may be more interest than dragging yourself down the local gym.

Recreational Ice Hockey Sessions at Hull Ice Rink at the Hull Arena

In general prices for a one hour Ice Hockey session cost [...]]]>

If you enjoy watching Ice Hockey or like playing the NHL games on the latest games consoles, then it's well worth considering having a go at playing Ice Hockey at your local Ice Rink.

It will keep you very fit and may be more interest than dragging yourself down the local gym.

Recreational Ice Hockey Sessions at Hull Ice Rink at the Hull Arena

In general prices for a one hour Ice Hockey session cost between £5.50 to  £10.00 depending on the particular ice rink.  If coaching sessions are available you may be paying around £15.00 for the hour in a group session.

National Ice Centre Nottingham, Capital FM Arena Ice Rink

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If you've never been to a Ski Resort in the Mountains in Europe and North America you may be under the impression ice rinks go hand in hand and every resort has a rink.  Most have small open air rinks however to have a indoor rink or arena you require a local user base to keep it a float doing the long out of season duration.  You mainly find the indoor rinks in the larger villages [...]]]>

If you've never been to a Ski Resort in the Mountains in Europe and North America you may be under the impression ice rinks go hand in hand and every resort has a rink.  Most have small open air rinks however to have a indoor rink or arena you require a local user base to keep it a float doing the long out of season duration.  You mainly find the indoor rinks in the larger villages and towns in the mountains where the residential population can support a facility of this size.

La Clusaz Outdoor Ice Rink (Not Full size), In the French Alpes

Whilst on our Skiing/Snowboarding holidays around the various Resorts we have tried to watch a local game of Ice Hockey or have a quick go on the ice skates at the rink .

Switzerland

Davos

Vaillant Arena, Davos

We struck lucky with the timing when we went to Davos in Switzerland on year we managed to get tickets for the Swiss top league home leg semi final in the cup.  The stadium was very impressive with its laminated timber volted roof, it had standing at either end which gave it an electric atmosphere. It was just like being on the terraces at one our football matches before the Uk made all League Clubs have seating only stadiums.

This is where they hold the infamous Spengler Cup every year which has been going since 1923 and is thought to be oldest inventational ice hockey tournament in the world.  It is normally held every year between Christmas and New Year, so if you want to book a skiing holiday and like a ice hockey game or two then Davos would be an ideal location.  The ski area is as excellent as the ice rink facilities.

This complex has one of the largest outdoor ice rinks in Europe, Curling lanes were available for hire too.

Luftbild Eisstadion, Davos

Vailant Arena, Davos - Indoor and outdoor ice rinks.

Davos Ice Hockey Club

France

Italy 

Austria

Andorra

Canada

USA

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