LAST week, the Gazette exclusively reported that Basingstoke could lose its ice rink as soon as next year if a solution isn’t found quickly to ongoing issues.

There’s a new time pressure as the existence of a clause in the lease held by Standard Securities, which allows them to apply to the council to change the use of the building from April 2021, was revealed to councillors at a committee meeting earlier this month.

The topic of saving the ice rink isn’t a new one and, with so many parties involved and so many levels to the issue, it can all get quite confusing.

Here’s a break-down of some of the key factors ...

What are the issues with the ice rink?

The most pressing issue facing the ice rink is permafrost, which has formed under the ice pad.

Permafrost is the word used to describe ground that remains permanently frozen for a number of years.

Heath Rhodes, chief operating officer at Planet Ice, who run the rink, told the Gazette: “The permafrost is causing an upwards heave on the pad which is ultimately creating the distortion which is obvious to customers.

“The risk is that over time this will place additional stress on the header which runs 12 foot along the east side of the pad and connects to the pipework under the ice that supplies a brine that freezes the pad.

“Obviously if the pipe breaks from the header then it will mean that there will no longer be a provision to freeze the ice and therefore the pad will be lost.”

Sally Cashman, chair of the ice rink users forum, previously told the Gazette that, in addition to this main issue, Standard Securities - who own the rink on a long-term lease (more on that later) - have concerns about the condition of the building as a whole.

However, Mr Rhodes says that “the building is sound.”

When did they all begin?

The Gazette understands that the issue with the permafrost is one that has built up over a number of years, and that repairs have not been carried out in a timely way, leading to a build-up of problems.

The ice rink at the Basingstoke Leisure Park is over 30 years old but, as you will read below, it's not always been run by Planet Ice, and that is where debate over who is responsible for a solution comes into play.

What needs to be done?

The permafrost problem has reached a point where a quick fix is not possible. Extensive work to the ground underneath the “pad” (the ice rink) is needed.

The full list of necessary repairs has recently been compiled by Planet Ice, in a survey funded by the council.

Whose responsibility is it?

This is the biggest question. The lease structures in place on the Ice Rink are complex.

Cllr John Izett, borough council cabinet member for regeneration and property, explained the ownership situation to the Gazette as such:

  • Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is the owner of Basingstoke Leisure Park but the ice rink is not a council facility, it is leased to the operator, Planet Ice.
  • In 2000, a previous council administration sold the rink on a 115 year lease to Planet Ice for a sum of £750,000 with no rent payable thereafter.
  • Planet Ice subsequently sold this long lease to Standard Securities (again for a lump sum) and, at the same time, took a new “under lease” from them to 2061, which means they pay Standard Securities an annual rent.

So, in short, the land is owned by the council but the building is owned by Standard Securities and leased to ice rink operator Planet Ice on a long-term basis.

The “head lease” (Standard Securities) and the “under lease” (Planet Ice) holders are BOTH required to keep the building in good and substantial repair.

Therefore, Cllr Izett says that “the repairs required to the building are the direct responsibility of Planet Ice.”

Mr Rhodes, of Planet Ice, admits that “under the lease agreement we hold, yes we are responsible for the upkeep of the building”.

However, he argues that the work in need of doing is an issue which has been going on for longer than Planet Ice has been in the picture.

“In our opinion, we believe that issues occurred when the rink and swimming pool were separated – work not undertaken by Planet Ice but certainly at the time we purchased the rink from the council,” he said.

“The ground affected by permafrost is chalk which in turn is volatile to water. So a further concern is what will happen to the ground underneath the pad once the ice melts. The council owns the freehold which is essentially the land which the rink is built on.”

However, Cllr Izett remains convinced that, as the ice rink is a private business, it “it is not appropriate” for the council to use taxpayers’ money to subsidise its running or take on the cost of repairs.

When asked about why, given that the council don't traditionally offer funding to private businesses, Planet Ice feels it should make a contribution, Mr Rhodes said: "l’m not too sure the council don’t finance private business  - so you will need to look into that. I know there are some debates and talks currently regarding Basingstoke F.C."

In addition, at the last meeting of the CEP committee, Cllr Kim Taylor said that money given by the council to Serco suggests that there’s been a “change in attitude” with regard to the distinction between public and private.

But Cllr Izett says the council has “consistently made it clear that we are supportive of the ice users and Bison supporters and recognise the role that the rink plays in the town”.

The council commissioned a survey of the structure of the building. Planet Ice carried out this survey of the ice pad and equipment to help understand the extent of the problem and what could be done to resolve it. The findings, and a detailed list of the work needed has now been shared this with the council ahead of repairs being carried out.

Planet Ice has also confirmed that it has asked the council to make a financial contribution towards the cost of these repairs.

It stressed that it is not “blaming any officers of the council today” for the permafrost issues pre-dating its lease.

However, Mr Rhodes said that, as there was agreement made between the council and Planet Ice about the building work carried out to separate the ice rink from the swimming pool, at the time that the rink was purchased, the council therefore retains some responsibility for the resulting problems.

“We do feel that Basingstoke Council along with ourselves have shared responsibility in contributing to the ice pad cost of renovation and in turn the seating areas affected by the heave,” he said.

Why is there now an urgency about it?

The latest development in the ice rink saga, reported by the Gazette last week, is that concern has been raised over a clause in the ice rink lease which allows Standard Securities to apply to change the use of the building - something they are likelier to do if a solution to the problems is not found and operating the ice rink becomes unviable.

Council officer Kate Dean confirmed that this was in fact the case, but Cllr Izett also told the Gazette that “in fact, there is a similar provision in Planet Ice’s under lease and it would be for Planet Ice to decide to operate this clause.”

But Planet Ice has said that, for now, its focus is on fixing the rink, not on getting rid of it.

Will the ice rink close next year?

Heath Rhodes said: “Standard Securities could apply for a change usage, but currently Planet Ice, Standard Securities and Basingstoke Council are without doubt focussed on the rink being here into the future and all talks have been very much centred around that.”

What happens next?

The CEP committee has formally asked for a full update on the ice rink situation to be presented to them at its next meeting, in December. It has also asked that Cllr John Izett attends this meeting.

“ We have produced a very competitive scope of works to Basingstoke Council with detailed costings and also a further request for a contribution to the cost of the work,” confirmed Heath Rhodes.

“Currently it is encouraging to see that all parties are now very proactive in understanding how to deal with resolving the issues the rink faces. Planet Ice have made themselves available to the CEP meeting to answer concerns and explain the various options.”

Cllr Izett agreed, saying: “We are continuing in an active dialogue with the operator Planet Ice and landlord Standard Securities and are keen to make progress as quickly as possible so there is clarity about the future of ice in Basingstoke. As a council, we recognise the role that the rink plays in the town and the community support for it.”

BUT, there is one final factor that adds an extra layer of complication to the situation with the Ice Rink.

The council has been planning a £300 million redevelopment of the Leisure Park for the last couple of years.

The plans have hit numerous bumps along the road including legal challenges and, now, the financial effects of coronavirus.

But, the council and developer New River, still intend to push ahead with the redevelopment, and the future of the ice rink is very much a consideration within these plans.

Some people have claimed that the uncertainty regarding what will be done about the ice rink within these plans has encouraged a lack of action from Planet Ice in financing repairs (when a whole new rink might be on the cards), but when asked about this, Heath Rhodes said he is “really confident that all parties are now in the most positive place we have ever been with regard to resolving the issues with the rink.”

Cllr Izett said: “Through the redevelopment plans for Basingstoke Leisure Park, the council has sought to bring in the investment needed to provide improved leisure facilities. NewRiver plans to create new activities and experiences to double the size of the existing leisure offer at the council’s ageing 60-acre leisure park, together with a designer outlet village to create a unique new destination.

“Other than the council-owned and operated Aquadrome, and the Hampshire County Council Milestones museum, the ice rink is the only facility specifically covered in the development agreement. Under this agreement NewRiver has to look at the options for a rink in the future.

“New River has consistently expressed its support for ice in Basingstoke and has therefore offered, once it starts the project, to refurbish the outside of the building.

“Options were considered to relocate the ice rink, if it failed, however these were unviable and a refurbishment of the existing rink is the option which is being pursued.”

So, it seems that any uncertainty about whether repairing the rink is worth it has been cleared up. For now, the relevant parties say the rink is here to stay.

The work that needs done and how much it’s going to cost has been determined. The crucial next stage is all parties must now negotiate between them as to who pays for what, and get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

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