As the summer winds down, we find ourselves in a familiar place of uncertainty with the status of Planet Ice Basingstoke. While the rink remains open for now, there’s a palpable sense of preparation in the air. Other ice rink users have started to tidy up and clean their spaces—could this be in preparation for closure? The truth is, we simply don’t know yet.

In our ongoing efforts to highlight the importance of ice sports in Basingstoke and the surrounding areas, Meridian News joined us at the rink this past Sunday. Together with other ice rink users, we voiced our concerns about what the potential loss of our facility could mean for the community. We eagerly anticipate the broadcast and hope it will bring further attention to our cause.

This month, we had a heartwarming visit from Deb Woods, who came to collect a special Team Woods jersey made for Peter, one of the celebrated Legends from our Basingstoke Legends Tournament. It was a touching reminder of the deep connections and impact our club has within the community.

Unfortunately, transparency continues to be an issue with Planet Ice and the key figures responsible for the rink’s maintenance, such as John Neville and Heath Rhodes. Updates from them have been scarce and seldom fruitful, leaving us and the rest of the ice sports community in a frustrating wait-and-see position.

Looking ahead, the next Basingstoke & Deane Residents Services meeting is scheduled for September. We are especially anxious for this meeting as it promises to revisit the previously inadequate report on the feasibility of a temporary rink. We hope that this time, the process will include genuine consultation with ice rink users to accurately understand and address our needs.

A New Chapter for Basingstoke Buffalo Players

While we are unable to ice a team for the upcoming season due to the refurbishment, we are pleased to report that many of our Basingstoke Buffalo players have started to find new homes. We wish them all the best as they join new teams and are confident that they will continue to impress and uphold the high standards of sportsmanship and skill they displayed with us. Their new teams are gaining not only great players but also fantastic team members.

We remain committed to keeping you informed and will continue to fight for the future of ice sports in Basingstoke. Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, thank you for your unwavering support.