The launch of a new permanent ice rink at Cribbs Causeway has been delayed again - but its new boss says the highly anticipated opening date will be announced soon.
The attraction just off Merlin Road had originally been planned to open in spring 2021 but there was a setback when operator Planet Ice said it had been concentrating on re-opening all of its other sites when lockdown restrictions were eased.
The delayed Bristol opening was then given as September and although Planet Ice won’t commit to a date when the doors will finally open, new General Manager Hannah Thomas has hinted that it will be within weeks.
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She said: “Progress of Planet Ice Bristol is coming on really well and the final stages of fit-out are now underway.
“We did experience a delay in the delivery of some specialist materials, which has pushed our schedule back very slightly, but our fit-out teams have been working flat out over the summer to get the ice rink ready to open this autumn.”
The Cribbs Causeway attraction is part of a major new development headed up by Baylis Estates and it will provide international standard skating facilities designed to accommodate a range of ice related activities and sports.
With capacity for 1,300 spectators, it will also become the new home for Bristol's ice hockey team, The Bristol Pitbulls, who have played their home matches at Oxford Ice Rink since 2012 due to the closure of the former Bristol Ice Rink in Frogmore Street.
Situated at The Venue Leisure Park at Cribbs Causeway just off the M5, the ice rink will neighbour venues such as Vue Cinema and Hollywood Bowl, with plenty of parking and strong public transport connections.
Hannah said: “We’re looking forward to laying the ice very soon. We’re now planning our opening and as soon as we have a date and details of how we’ll be celebrating this exciting event, we’ll be letting everyone know.
“We’re as keen as anyone to share the good news, and we’re already starting to have enquiries for lessons, coaching and hire of the facilities. It’s going to be a fantastic attraction, we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Hannah’s career started as an Ice Marshall for a seasonal Ice Rink at We The Curious in Bristol where she later progressed into Duty Management before becoming their Visitor Experience Manager.
Hannah says her vision for the Cribbs Causeway ice rink centres around ‘focusing on creating and maintaining collaborative relationships within the local community to open the doors into ice sports’.
“As someone who grew-up ice skating in Bristol, I am so happy to be joining the Planet Ice team in bringing a rink back to the city. The build is coming along really well; it has been amazing to see it taking shape and coming to life.
“We are currently recruiting and developing a team for the Bristol site whilst also preparing launch events for the autumn. We will have more updates and some photos of the progress to show everyone in the coming weeks.”
The new ice rink will offer a range of Learn to Skate programmes for all ages, public skating sessions, birthday party packages and events.
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