£60,000 Sobell centre rink slush fund

Published: 27th May, 2011
by ANDREW JOHNSON

THE Town Hall is to stump up more than £60,000 towards the cost of repairing the new ice rink at the Sobell Sports centre which closed in December after the ice melted.

Months of wrangling between the council and contractor Millbridge, who installed the £500,000 rink at the Hornsey Road centre, has resulted in a deal to split the £83,000 repair costs, with the Town Hall paying the bulk.

It will contribute £62,000 and Millbridge £21,000 although the council has reserved the right to take legal action.

The rink, which opened in July, was shut in December after developing numerous faults, including issues with the refrigeration system, which left skaters standing on slush.

In order to repair the problem the entire rink needs to be dismantled.

Barry Hill, who represents users of the Sobell Centre, said: “There are major problems with it.

“It was only open for about four months before it closed due to numerous faults. 

“It’s the only rink in the area and I’ve been inundated with calls.”

The council’s leisure chief, Councillor Paul Convery, said: “The failure of the new ice rink was extremely disappointing. We want the contractors to make sure the original faults don’t occur again, so in addition to replacing the rink, some changes to the design are also being made.

“I know how much users of the Sobell are looking forward to seeing the ice rink reopened and we’re aiming to do this in late August.

“The costs of the repairs are being met by the contractors and the council. The council still reserves its right to legal action.”