Dear Basingstoke Junior Bison Community,

We have a crucial update from our Club Chair, Stewart Tempest, regarding the status of our ice rink. As many of you are aware, there have been significant developments, and we want to ensure everyone is fully informed about the current situation and what it means for our club.

Ice Rink Closure and Repair Update

The long-anticipated refurbishment of our beloved rink is progressing. Here’s a detailed update on where we currently stand:

Recent Developments

• Council Motion and Committee Meeting: On Wednesday, part of Alex Lee’s motion concerning the ice rink was on the agenda of the Residents Services Committee (formerly the CEP). This section required the council to produce a report on the feasibility of a temporary ice rink in case of a prolonged closure of the current one.
• New Lease Agreement: It appears that the new lease, assigning the building to Nice Leisure (Planet Ice), is about to be signed. Once signed, Nice Leisure will have three months to begin the work and one year to complete Stage 1, which includes the ice pad, stands, and changing rooms.
• Timing and Challenges: The duration of the refurbishment remains uncertain until the extent of the permafrost is determined. Estimates range from 6 to 9 months. The deeper the permafrost, the more complex and costly the repairs might be. However, Planet Ice now effectively owns the building, making walking away no longer an option.
• Planning for a Temporary Rink: Given the uncertainty, planning for a temporary rink is still essential. A properly costed and user-relevant plan could help avoid missing another winter season of ice sports and recreational skating in Basingstoke if the worst-case scenario occurs.

Consultation and Report Quality

Unfortunately, the users were supposed to be consulted as per the motion, but this did not happen. Consequently, the report is considered inadequate. The Chair and committee members highlighted these issues during the meeting. The process, however, has somewhat restored faith in local democracy, moving from initial manipulation of the motion to a more positive situation for the rink.

Moving Forward

• Report Revision: The report has been sent back to the Officers to redo, this time consulting the User Groups as instructed in the motion.
• Council Engagement: While the current administration has successfully brought Planet Ice and Standard Security to the table (something the previous administration failed to do), they have not fully lived up to their promises on governance and engagement.

Final Thoughts

Cllr Harvey emphasized the importance of genuine engagement and listening to stakeholders. As we await the Ice Rink motion’s progress to the Scrutiny Committee, we hope these principles will be upheld.

We encourage all members to stay connected through our social media channels and website for the latest updates. Your support and understanding during this period are greatly appreciated. For a more detailed update, please watch the video message from our Club Chair, Stewart Tempest, below.

Watch the Full Update on YouTube

With gratitude and optimism, The Basingstoke Junior Bison Team

#JuniorBison #RinkRefurbishment #HockeyFamily #BasingstokeNeverDies #SeeYouSoon #ThankYou