Campaign calls for promised ice rink to be built

A CAMPAIGN has started calling for Plymouth to have an ice arena - more than two and a half years after the city's rink closed. In just three days more than 1,000 people have signed a petition on the Change.org website calling for a new ice arena to be built.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

Entitled "Build the Promised Ice Arena in Plymouth" the petition was started by Jonathan List, of the Plymouth Phoenix ice hockey team, which has to train in Bristol since the Pavilions rink closed at the end of 2022. The petition says: "Help us turn this vision into reality.

"Whether you are an ice hockey player, inline player, figure skaters, recreational skater, or even someone who feels they would possibly make use of this facility, sign this petition to advocate for the construction of a much needed ice arena in Plymouth, UK. Together, we can bring the world of ice sports closer to home and provide a space for our community to thrive and grow."

Skaters were furious when the 30-year-old Pavilions ice rink closed after its last session on December 31, 2022. It was claimed the spike in energy costs had made it unsustainable.

Earlier that year, Pavilions' owner James Brent said his firm was struggling to make building a replacement - the long-promised Mayflower Ice Arena near Plymouth Argyle's Home Park stadium - financially viable.