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Temporary ice rink questions answered
Is a temporary rink necessary?
Residents told us how important it was to ensure that Streatham ice rink, the only remaining rink in South London, remained open while the new rink was being built. Our original development agreement with Tesco ensured continuity of ice skating provision by insisting that the existing rink could not be demolished until the new leisure centre, including ice rink, was built.
In 2009 the future of the £120 million Streatham Hub project was put in doubt when Tesco indicated that the scheme was no longer viable in its current form. The developer indicated that the scheme would need to be built in one phase – in other words all demolition would need to occur at the start and then all elements would be built together.
Our contribution to the development is capped at £19.42m and Tesco will be contributing the shortfall to the public leisure facilities, including the ice rink which was previously in private ownership. We could not provide a leisure centre and ice rink without Tesco. Given the Streatham leisure centre closed in November 2009 we were keen to seek a suitable solution that would enable the development to proceed. Tesco's agreement to provide and run a temporary ice rink away from the Streatham Hub site was seen as the best solution to deliver the scheme in a timely manner.
In addition, without this new approach to the scheme, should the current privately run ice rink need to close due to similar health and safety concerns there would be no ice rink in Streatham.
Will the ice pad be too small for ice dancing?
The proposed temporary ice pad of 56m x 26m will be suitable for training and recreational ice dance. We do accept that there will be limitations in respect of the highest levels of ice dance competition, but as this is a temporary ice rink we have undertaken to make alternative provision for gifted and talented skaters as part of our gifted and talented programme.
Will ice hockey matches be able to take place on the temporary rink?
The proposed ice pad of 56m x 26m will meet the needs of existing ice hockey teams. This includes ice hockey training and match play according to the sport’s various governing bodies. Whilst some users have indicated they would like additional facilities, such as a separate referee changing room and separate routes on to the ice for each team, these are not essential requirements and facilities nationally vary enormously. Tesco and ourselves will continue to work with user groups to ensure the best use of the space available in the temporary facility.
We are confident that the temporary rink will be fit for existing purposes and provide a suitable alternative to the current rink, whilst the new, state-of-the-art rink is built in Streatham.
How can we be sure the ice rink won’t stay in Brixton permanently?
The provision of a first class leisure centre, including a new ice rink, in Streatham is a top priority for us.
The S106 agreement with Tesco will not allow them to open their store until the permanent leisure centre is completed in Streatham. This includes the ice rink. It is likely that a planning condition for the temporary ice rink will include a condition requiring its removal once the permanent site is ready.
Planning approval was granted for the entire Streatham Hub scheme in 2008. The planning application for the temporary rink at Pope's Road in Brixton is for a maximum of three years. During which time, the council will explore options for the long-term future of the site, which it owns, as a mixed-use development.
Will the temporary rink be hard for people to get to?
Streatham ice rink is the only remaining ice rink in South London and has a catchment area that extends well into the South East and South West of the country. Brixton is extremely well served by public transport, with a tube station, an overground station and 21 bus routes into the town centre. It is likely to be a more convenient destination for people travelling by public transport due to the extra bus, rail and tube connections. By car, the existing ice rink is approximately 3 miles (4.8km) from the current rink on the A23, adding approximately 10 minutes journey time if travelling via the current rink.
For teams attending ice hockey matches a coach drop-off point is already available for the leisure centre next door. A car pick-up and drop-off point will also be provided at the entrance to the temporary rink, along with a dedicated car park with 24 spaces. Elsewhere, for those travelling by car, Brixton has over 300 car parking spaces within the town centre area and an easy to use map is available to download. Parking in surrounding streets is generally controlled between the hours of 8.30am and 5.30pm.
While for some people the temporary rink location may be less convenient than the current one, our priority is to ensure there remains a place to carry out current skating activities so that the new, state-of-the-art, permanent rink is built in Streatham.
Is Brixton a safe place to go skating?
The temporary ice rink will be situated next door to the popular leisure centre, the Brixton Rec, which operates between 7am and 10pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 8pm at the weekend and attracts a cross-section of the local population.
In addition, community safety will be central to the design and operation of the temporary rink. A Community Safety Management Plan has been drawn up between us and the police and this is likely to include measures such as CCTV and high visibility policing at specified times. Funding for these community safety measures has been agreed in principle.
Some negative perceptions of Brixton persist, but a recent survey of Brixton's night time economy 86% of respondents indicated that they would return to the venue they were at and seven in ten agreed there was a good police presence in the town centre.