THE Planet Ice Silver Dome Arena has joined a handful of select ice skating rinks to earn a regional centre of excellence award.

A plaque to mark the recognition by the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) was handed over recently by association chief executive Keith Horton.

The presentation to rink manager Richard Boprey took place during a two-day NISA national field moves seminar at Basingstoke for skating coaches and judges.

A number of top skaters at the rink also performed for guests, who included borough mayor Councillor Paula Baker.

Laura Freeman, 13, who recently won a bronze medal at the British novice championships, was one of the exhibition skaters. Others included Antoinette Hempel 18, who contested the British junior championships, and Charles Howard-Jones, 15, another competitor at the British novice championships.

First published: Thursday, March 9, 2006