Bradford Ice Arena Plans Facelift

By Daniel Lynch

Plans to update facilities at the Bradford Ice Arena have been discussed with council leader David Green.

Arena Director, Krystyna Rogers says that although it's not clear how much help the council can provide, changes are needed for the ice rink to remain operational.

Just four years ago, £400,000 was spent on a new freezing plant, updating the model which was still in use since the rink's opening in 1961. In addition, Miss Rogers believes a new sign and better signposting on the city's roads could significantly boost interest in the rink.

"We can't do any more than we're already doing but the maintenance costs are horrendous. The income costs only allow us to make sure we survive."

Miss Rogers first took over the arena in 1991 shortly after original owners closed it and in 1995 her new company became a charitable organisation, Ice Time Limited, to ensure the rink's future.

Last month Miss Rogers was named Woman of Achievement in Business at the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Women of Achievement Awards and she believes her success has helped raise the profile of her campaign.

"Since I received the award there has been a little bit more attention on the ice rink and I was hoping that that would give me a stronger voice to highlight how important it is to the city of Bradford and the surrounding area."

Since the development of City Park, the campaign to save the National Media Museum and the council's bid to modernise the city centre with free WiFi, Miss Rogers says the rink has become an eyesore and a redesign would benefit the whole area.

"The square looks lovely, the Odeon is going to be redone and the National Media Museum is there. But as soon as you go up the hill it doesn't look so good. Making us look better would complete the regeneration of the city centre."

Watch BCB's Daniel Lynch try his hand at some ice-skating.