Users of Telford’s ice rink could find themselves struggling to park from now on as the rink’s car park is being handed over to the privately owned Telford International Centre this week.
The ice rink is used every week by hundreds of people of all ages, as well as being home to the Telford Tigers, Wrekin Raiders womens ice hockey team, Telford Spartans recreational ice hockey club and Telford Venom junior ice hockey club.
But from tomorrow, the car park next to the building will under the control of Telford International Centre, which is owned by the Southwater Development, and will no longer belong to Telford & Wrekin Council.
And while the car park will still be available for some of the time, rink users will be denied access this weekend due to a major event at the international centre.
A spokesman for the ice rink said: “All the people who come regularly for lessons have been told that the car park will be unavailable this weekend and asked to make alternate arrangements.
“It’s not been our decision, and obviously we would have liked to have kept the car park.”
Rebecca Parry, speaking on behalf of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “The Ice Rink car park has been identified for development as part of the £250million regeneration of Southwater. It is anticipated a hotel or offices will be located here.
“However, for the foreseeable future the car park will remain as a pay and display car park for public use, except when Southwater Event Group hold large events at The International Centre and the car park is needed for their exclusive use. During these event days, visitors to the ice rink will be able to use parking at the council’s civic offices (during the weekend) and also the town centre car parks, which are within easy reach. There is one such event this weekend, so there will be no public use of the ice rink car park. Patrons are asked to use civic offices or one of the town centre car parks.
“The expansion of The International Centre, and the use of the ice rink car park at certain times, is a critical element of the wider regeneration of Southwater and will make Telford one of the largest conferencing towns in the UK.
“In addition, as part of the council’s works that are currently on site in Southwater a new car park, adjacent to The Range, will be opening on April 8. This will be a pay and display car park and there will be approximately 44 spaces, increasing to 90 spaces by completion of the works at the end of the year.”
By Pam Griffin