Town centre skating rink just days from opening
Final preparations are underway as one of the most advanced synthetic ice-rinks available gets set to open at arc Shopping Centre in Bury St Edmunds. The free attraction will be welcoming skaters from 11am on Thursday December 14 – and there’s still time to book the rink for exclusive group use by a school, community group or business.
Our Bury St Edmunds, which runs the Business Improvement District (BID), has worked with a number of partners to ensure that there’s nothing to pay for all sessions at the festive attraction, including skate hire. When not booked by a group every session will be available on a first-come first-served basis to members of the public, with no reservation necessary.
The Bury St Edmunds Family Christmas Ice Rink, which will be able to cater for up to 25 skaters per session, will be located in Charter Square until Wednesday January 3. It will be open every day except Christmas Day usually from 11am until 5pm but later, including until 8pm on some days. The attraction is part of the Christmas In Bury St Edmunds experience from a partnership hosting a variety of events from mid-November and through December.
Chief Executive of Our Bury St Edmunds Mark Cordell said: “Christmas can be a costly time of year but this will offer a free activity in the town centre for families until the last day of the school holidays. There will be skate aids to help beginners so everyone can look forward to taking to the rink, whether or not they have skated before.”
The synthetic ice rink, provided by Odin Events, will be one of the most advanced available giving the closest possible experience to real ice but without the environmental impact and high energy use of keeping the rink frozen. Although free of charge, donations to the rink’s charity partner Gatehouse, which runs the town’s foodbank will be gratefully received.
Schools, community groups – especially any working with those with reduced mobility – and businesses who wish to book the 12m by 8m rink for their own exclusive use may do so by emailing Mark Cordell. Further information about the skating rink including specific daily opening times can be found at: www.ourburystedmunds.com/events/bury-st-edmunds-family-christmas-ice-rink/.
