THE chair of a group who has been campaigning to save the ice rink is “delighted” with the news that the rink's future has been secured.

As previously reported Planet Ice rink in Basingstoke has secured as a new sponsorship agreement.

The agreement with the English Ice Hockey Association and the NIHL will see the brand be known as the Planet Ice National Ice Hockey League.

SEE MORE: Basingstoke ice rink secures future as new sponsorship agreement is announced

There have been ongoing difficulties with the West Ham Leisure Park, in particularly the ice rink and Aquadrome, and the ongoing residents’ disquiet about the situation.

Residents said it would affect so many people if the ice rink was to close and many would be absolutely devastated.

Sally Cashman, is the chair of the Basingstoke Ice Rink Users Forum, a group who have been campaigning to save the facility in the town.

She said: “I am delighted, it is excellent news and hopefully it will put the rink in a better position for the future.

“However, there is still a lot of work to be done."

She said the group is now looking forward and waiting to see further refurbishment plans.

She added; “I have spoken to a number of fans and they are all really happy and are all waiting to see what refurbishments will be made.”

Sally said there is still lot to think about including how long refurbishments may take and whether this means the rink will have to close.

Speaking previously about the possibility that the ice rink may be closed down permanently, Mrs Cashman said: “Time has been running out for the ice rink for years. This has just put a time-scale on it. Whereas before we had the uncertainty of the rink could fall down or could last years, now we hear it could be six months, and there’s a real, tangible reason for those six months.”

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The announcer for Basingstoke’s ice hockey team, Basingstoke Bison, has also welcomed the news.

Daren Bavister said: “It is really good news and although it won’t happen over night it is a real light at the end of the tunnel. I do think it is still slightly tarnished by the way the council appeared to act, which was just a disappointment but its definitely a relief.”

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