New Clifton Moor skate rink plans unveiled (From York Press)

New Clifton Moor skate rink plans unveiled

10:02am Wednesday 25th August 2010 in

By Ron Godfrey »

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NEW plans are being hatched for one of the largest skating rink complexes in Europe on the outskirts of York.

A land owner and a property dealer say they are joining forces to create two rinks under one tarpaulin near Creepy Crawlies children’s playground in Wigginton Road, Clifton Moor, generating up to 50 jobs this winter.

Mario Marchi, who owns 50 acres near York’s Outer Ring Road, and estate agent Colin Cain say that if the rinks, which will use super-slippery silicone rather than ice, are successful they want the City of York Council to co-operate with them to make it permanent.

The two men plan to create a large rink called Mamas & Papas on Ice and a smaller one for “Ice Ice Babies” on ten acres used by Mr Marchi’s York Riding School as a showfield, with an extra acre for parking of 350 vehicles, by November 1.

Mr Cain, of Walmgate Property Services, said: “If it goes well this winter then we will call on the co-operation of City of York Council and then invest at least £1 million to create permanent buildings, including a restaurant.”

Mr Marchi said his riding-school land had for years had planning permission allowing him to open an ice rink temporarily for 28 days before making a detailed application.

The two men are prepared to invest up to £200,000 in the venture initially and are negotiating with a UK company, WonderIce, to install the rinks and safety barriers as well as provide the equipment and staff training.

If the vision materialises on November 1 it will mean that skaters in York and beyond will have somewhere to go now that the Ice Factor has been banned from returning to the Eye of York near York Crown Court.

Court officials argued the noise interfered with court business.

An alternative scheme, to move the popular rink to the nearby Castle Car Park, was rejected by City of York Council officials because of the potential loss of car parking revenue, estimated at about £150,000.

Mr Marchi said the popularity of their ice rink was unlikely to suffer because it was on the outskirts of the city near the busy ring-road. He said: “Creepy Crawlies attracts 350,000 visitors per year. We are hoping for between 350,000 and 400,000 visitors to the rink.

“There are already two brand new bus stops erected immediately opposite the site in Wigginton Road and the nearest residence is half a mile away, so no one would be disturbed.”

Andrew Waller, the leader of City of York Council described the plan as “an interesting proposition which has come out of the blue.”

He said: “Of course this plan is feasible and the council will work with people who come forward with proposals like this.

“It doesn’t stop the work I have been doing to persuade the courts to be more reasonable in its approach to Ice Factor, but clearly other people are free to come forward with their own proposals.”

Developers hope rink would become permanent

Should the new temporary ice rink prove successful, the two men would seek the co-operation of City of York planners to make it permanent.

That would mean providing a building rather than marquee to house the 100 ft by 40 ft Mamas & Papas On Ice and the 60 ft by 20 ft Ice Ice Babies rink where “Peter Penguin” ice scooters will be available for up to seven year olds. The plan would include a franchise restaurant serving light meals and perhaps a bar area.

There would be events to encourage disabled children as well as ice hockey competitions to attract schools and ice shows for the family.

Mr Marchi plans to charge an entry fee of £9.95 with concessions for students, disabled people, pensioners and groups.

Comments(29)

sheps lad says...
10:08am Wed 25 Aug 10

Wow! Keep your heads down, lots of flying pigs around!