TIME is fast running out and Basingstoke needs a new ice rink - before it is too late and the existing one is forced to close.

This needs to be done sooner than later to replace one of the most used sporting venues in the town by a wide range of the local community.

The next meeting for the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council community, environment and partnerships committee is on December 18, when once again the ice rink will be on agenda.

A once in a generation decision needs to be made and there is no time to kick the can down the road any more.

The town deserves and needs a new ice rink, it is not the time for councillors to turn their back on leisure facilities, which the area has too few of and forget all the positives this facility brings to the area.

Chair of the Ice Rink Users Forum Stewart Tempest said: “It is very important to the whole community of Basingstoke and we can’t just move to another existing rink as there is no free resource.

"A decision needs to be made now, as we don’t know how long the current ice rink is going to last.”