Hertsmere Leisure to fit out and run Olympic-sized rink in Southampton

The developer behind the proposed scheme has revealed the leisure firm that will run it.

Hertsmere Leisure has been announced as the preferred operator for the £10m pad on the former Chantry Hall site in St Mary’s.

Developer Colin Warburg said he was close to securing bank finance and had four private investors “interested in ice rinks” who were “queuing up” to fund the project.

Negotiations with Hertfordshirebased Hertsmere to fit out and then run the rink for 25 years are at an “advanced stage”, he said.

But it is understood a forthcoming bid for around £1m from Sport England to half-fund the fit-out costs of the rink could be vital.

The community ice pad, which will create around 110 jobs, would seat around 800 spectators and attract up to 250,000 skaters each year.

Mr Warburg, pictured, said: “I am delighted to be able to work with such an experienced leisure management operator and I know they will embrace my philosophy of ensuring the Southampton ice rink becomes an attraction for all residents and visitors to the city.

“Their extensive knowledge and approach to the operation, promotion and management of leisure facilities will ensure that the ice rink is something the whole of Southampton can be proud of.”

Hertsmere Leisure runs leisure centres and sports grounds for local councils as well as a swimming pool, public golf course, theatres, and ten Sure Start children’s centres.

Chief executive Phil Collins said the Southampton rink would be Hertsmere’s first private sector venture.

“Colin’s enthusiasm is beyond belief,”

he said. “He’s got a passion about Southampton and the provision of an ice rink. We saw it from a business point of view and believe it will work, that it’s a viable proposition, and from our charity point of view it fits well.”

Mr Collins, who said he had experience running four or five ice rinks in the 1980s, said he would be bringing in ice rink experts where needed.

He added: “Our status as a registered charity means that we must provide relevant services for the public good which is precisely what we will be doing.”

Skating enthusiasts have been campaigning for a new rink since Southampton’s Top Rank ice rink closed its doors in 1988.

Council leisure boss John Hannides said: “We are very supportive of Colin and playing what part we can play.”

Mr Warburg has already won outline planning permission from Southampton City Council. A full application will be submitted next year with construction expected to start in the early summer.

The ice rink could be open in late 2012.