Devon to get another ice rink this Winter - as councillors believe demand is there
The exact dates and times are still to be announced, but it's likely to be placed near to Torquay's Princess Theatre
Whilst most of us are talking about the hot weather, councillors in Torquay have been thinking about Winter - as they confirm they'll have an outdoor ice rink.
It follows the success of the separate on at Westpoint last Winter - as well as the one in Plymouth.
Torbay Councillor Jackie Thomas says it's to add to their seafront 'bay of lights' experience - to help boost tourism at a normally quieter time of the year
The Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture and Events said: "It is competitive (attracting people to different ice rinks) but this was an aspiration that I've had for a very long time.
"It's to enhance our Winter Wonderland experience from the Bay of Lights and the video mapping on Torre Abbey.
"This will hopefully encourage people to stay a little bit longer, maybe book a couple of nights accomodation and come and have a few days here."
The rink is on a shopping list drawn up by councillors in response to some careful budgeting at the town hall.
The authority ended the year with a surplus of £350,000, and now members of the cabinet have come up with a list of ways to spend it. The ice rink is just one in a long list that is likely to get the go-ahead from the full council next month.
The cabinet heard that various council departments had contributed to the underspend in the fourth quarter of the last financial year.
Cllr Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton) said the money is a ‘tiny proportion’ of the council’s overall budget. But, he added: “To have an underspend shows very good budgetary control throughout the organisation. For several years things have looked comfortable in Torbay’s accounts, and long may it continue.”
The list of potential projects includes surveying community centres, tackling weeds and putting more money into adult social care. It also proposes a community-focused ‘blitz’ to tidy and improve the Castle Circus area of Torquay and money to encourage new start-up shops and businesses.
And, said Cllr Jackie Thomas (Con, Kings Ash), more money could go towards the festive Bay of Lights project, which already includes a seafront illuminations trail and a spectacular light show at Torre Abbey.
“An ice rink would very considerably increase our winter wonderland experience and encourage more footfall into our bay,” she said. “This is a very exciting addition to the Bay of Lights offering.”
Cllr Darren Cowell (Ind, Shiphay) welcomed the ideas and the bay’s ‘sound financial footing’, but urged colleagues to look beyond town centres and seafronts to spend some of the money in other local communities.