Plastic skating rink proposed for Colwyn Bay

Aug 21 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

A CHRISTMAS skating rink which was put on ice because of escalating fuel prices could be back on following plans to unveil a synthetic substitute.

Plans for the ice rink on Seaview Road had been scrapped after councillors deemed the project too expensive, despite the project attracting crowds of over 7,500 last December.

The current fuel crisis meant estimates for the diesel-powered motor needed to power the rink for four weeks ran to £75,000, far in excess of the £40,000 paid by the town council last year.

But a special meeting was held in private at Colwyn Bay town hall this week where councillors and organisers proposed to replace the ice rink with a cheaper plastic version.

A decision won’t be taken until a full council meeting on September 1, but if the project goes ahead it could rejuvenate plans to boost trade over the festive period.

And the money saved could also be pumped into providing other attractions in the town centre such as children’s fairground rides.

Town councillor Chris Hughes is excited about the potential of the plans: “Last year the rink cost about £40,000, this year because of the price of fuel it had escalated beyond £60,000.

“This artificial rink has been identified for around £16,000 which is a significant saving – it seems to be quite a high standard and very popular in other parts of the country.

He added: “Because we’re not spending as much, we should be able to do a bit more this year and have fairground rides.”