Plymouth Ice Rink: What Happened?
Herta Wyman
2025-05-05 20:52:34
Count answers: 6
Plymouth's ice rink has closed for the last time after 30 years. It was announced in October 2022 that the ice rink facility at Plymouth Pavilions would be shutting down permanently due to a "huge" increase in energy costs. Five Directions Ltd, the company owned by former Plymouth Argyle Chairman James Brent, made the decision to close the rink after running it for the last ten years. That agreement has just ended. Skaters told ITV West Country at the time that they were "devastated" at the loss.
Jaqueline Stark
2025-05-05 19:56:13
Count answers: 2
It was announced in October 2022 that the ice rink facility at Plymouth Pavilions would be shutting down permanently due to a "huge" increase in energy costs. In October, CEO of Plymouth Pavilions Sarah Philips confirmed that the ice rink would be closing after three decades due to "rising costs" and ongoing challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in costs coincided with the expiration of the contract for the provision of Sports/Leisure Ice and Arena facilities between Plymouth City Council and Five Directions Limited, which was not extended or replaced. Plymouth Pavilions is a high energy user and the increase in energy costs has turned the operation of the ice rink from a non-commercial business into one which is wholly unsustainable, and which had the potential to threaten the viability of the entire venue if we did not take action.
Carlos Lebsack
2025-05-05 19:11:22
Count answers: 4
The swimming pool shut in March 2012 and the ice rink on January 1, 2023. Pavilions bosses said removing unwanted areas of the building will allow the Pavilions to focus on the operation and further development of its core music/events arena business. They said it would also unlock the space needed to complete the so-called Millbay boulevard. Pavilions bosses said at the time that the service contract had been extended or replaced, which meant there was no obligation to keep the rink open, especially as its continued operation was deemed to be financially unsustainable.
Norval Vandervort
2025-05-05 16:34:18
Count answers: 8
The famous indoor swimming pool complete with the slide and wave pool shut in March 2012 and the ice rink on January 1, 2023. Pavilions bosses said at the time that the service contract had been extended or replaced, which meant there was no obligation to keep the rink open, especially as its continued operation was deemed to be financially unsustainable. Plymouth City Council sold the Pavilions to one of the companies controlled by Plymouth Argyle saviour James Brent, Five Directions Ltd, in 2012, as part of a bid to help the authority make savings of £30m. At the time it was said that the ice rink and adjoining pool couldn't be demolished until a new rink was built elsewhere. No new ice rink has been built.
Catharine Quigley
2025-05-05 15:58:29
Count answers: 3
Plymouth Pavilions ice rink is set to close down permanently in the new year. Operators have blamed a "huge" increase in energy bills for the business' demise. The rink was hit with a "near tripling" of electricity costs, even factoring in temporary support for businesses, and reportedly faces a five-fold increase when government support ends in March. The rink is set to close permanently on January 1 and its closure will 30 years of use come to an end.
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