THE long term future of an ice rink is secure - as long as someone wants to run it.

That is the message from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council this week after it confirmed part of the £300million Leisure Park redevelopment will include a proposed ice rink.

However, operators of the Basingstoke Arena, Planet Ice, has said more information is needed to find out the extent of work needed to keep the rink operational in the short-term.

Planet Ice said last year with the deterioration of the current venue it does not see a long-term future for the arena.

This week a Planet Ice spokeswoman said: “There are many issues facing the rink that have caused the situation that customers are currently witnessing, and unfortunately none of this can be resolved until a further survey, planned for the end of the ice hockey season, is undertaken after which an informed decision can be made.

“We know the building has a long term investment requirement of circa £1.5 million, however the extent of the problems lie within the ground the rink is built on. With this in mind any works taking place right now could be pointless if a further survey shows the problems are more extensive.

“Equally there has to be some clear indications from the council as to its plans for the Leisure Park into the future and whether the ‘talked about’ developments will commence this decade or next.”

The borough council said it, along with developer NewRiver REIT, was committed to delivering a rink, but short-term issues are Planet Ice’s responsibility.

Cabinet member for property and development Councillor John Izett said: “The scheme for the leisure park is going ahead.

That decision has been taken and so there is no uncertainty about that.

“The ice rink has been part of the life of Basingstoke for the last three decades and we want it to stay that way. That’s why the agreement with NewRiver to redevelop the leisure park includes the development of a proposal for an ice rink and always has.

“This would rely on a suitable operator who is able to make it economically viable to run being found and, of course, it being something that the residents of the borough want.

“The leisure park is a major and complex project and a new ice rink would be unlikely to be up and running for at least six or seven years. Therefore it is important that the existing one is properly maintained. This is the responsibility of the private company that owns the building and of Planet Ice that runs it. It would be difficult for the council to justify using public funds to subsidise private commercial businesses.