Future of the Ice Rink

The Oxford Ice Rink at Oxpens opened in 1984 with a life expectancy of 15 years for the fixed mechanical and electrical plant (equipment necessary to operate the building e.g. boilers, compressors, air handling equipment, electrical installation for lighting, power etc.) and around 40 years for the building itself. The plant and equipment is therefore now being maintained 9 years beyond its life expectancy. The building needs major investment in its infrastructure if it is to be retained long term, and the development of the West End has injected considerable uncertainty about the best use of the land where the Ice Rink stands.

As a consequence of this, the Council is looking at the viability of a number of different future scenarios for the current Ice Rink and its possible relocation.

The Ice Rink site forms part of a larger site at Oxpens which has been ear-marked for redevelopment in the Oxford West End Area Action Plan (AAP). Visit our West End AAP page for more details.

In the short term, it is unlikely that any major changes will be made to the Oxpens site. The Council is making every effort to keep the existing Ice Rink facility functional until plans for the Oxpens site have been confirmed which is now unlikely to be before the end of 2011.  For example, we have recently carried our works to maintain the compressors and resurfacing machine, and proposals are currently being worked on to replace the air handling equipment.

A consultation was carried out in 2007, which amassed and analysed views and data from a wide range of sources including regular and occasional users, staff, members, and all the clubs and teams that are based at the Ice Rink. It remains a popular and well-used facility and there are strong arguments for maintaining an ice arena in the Oxford area.

On the basis of the consultation a report was produced which looked at the general issue of ice rink provision in Oxford, level of demand, financial viability, optimum location and ongoing revenue and capital costs to the City Council or other provider.

The full report is available to download below:

Currently, no decisions of any sort have been taken with regard to the Ice Rink and we are committed to consulting fully with all interested parties when we are clearer about any possible proposals.

Page last reviewed 15 Jul 2008