Delight at plan for ice rink in city

Aug 28 2008 by Neil McKay, The Journal

PLANS were announced last night for the return of a permanent rink to a city which once boasted the top ice hockey team in Britain.

The former LG Philips site at Belmont, Durham, is earmarked for the new base.

The city has been without an ice rink since the Riverside closed 12 years ago. The rickety arena on the bank of the River Wear used to host Durham Wasps.

Between 1982 and 1992 the Wasps dominated the British ice hockey league, winning the Heineken Championship four times, the league championship six times and the Norwich Cup three times.

The proposed multi-million pound new development would boast a 3,000-seater ice arena with an Olympic-sized ice pad plus cafes, restaurants, a fitness suite and retail outlets.

Initial discussions have opened with Durham City Council regarding planning consent.

The rink would form part of the 42-acre Mandale Business Park on the city’s north eastern outskirts.

Joe Darragh, from Mandale Group, which owns the site, said: “If final terms can be agreed and the local planning authority approve it, the development would be great for the city and we believe would be a very popular venue bringing visitors from miles around to Durham.”

Rich Endean works for the County Durham Ice Foundation, a community organisation founded to seek a new ice sports venue in Durham.

He said: “It’s been a long time coming, but we are delighted by the news and extremely excited by the plans.

“People in Durham of all ages have been crying out for a facility like this for years and we’re confident it will exceed a lot of expectations.”

Less than three months ago a revival of the Wasps saw more than 1,000 former supporters make the trip to Whitley Bay to see a re-formed ‘legends’ team take on their former rivals, the Warriors, before a packed rink.

Mr Endean said: “The buzz created by the game was amazing, showing just how many people want to see ice hockey back here, and proving people are still passionate about it, even 12 years on.

“Hopefully, with a new rink and a new set-up we can put Durham firmly back on the map as an ice hockey hot-bed.”

Last night former Wasps players staged another reunion when they lined up at Newcastle Arena in a benefit tournament for former player Ian Defty, 28, who died at home in Meadowfield, Durham, in April.

It is anticipated up to 200 jobs could be created by the leisure scheme and the developers aim to involve several local business in its creation.

The centre could potentially be open for business by as early as autumn 2009.