BASINGSTOKE Conservative party has been mocked on Facebook after they boasted about investment in local sports.

The Facebook post said that Conservative-run Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have invested over £5.4 million into local sports since 2015.

But the claim was mocked by supporters of Ice Rink campaign who have pointed out that no investment has been made in ice hockey, despite it being the biggest sport in Basingstoke.

The Facebook post boasts about investments in cricket, basketball, hockey, tennis, bowling, football, rugby, martial arts, athletics, swimming pool etc., but only mentions in the last line that they are "committed" to investing in Aquadrom.

Commenting on the post, one campaigner said: “Just shows what our council and mayor and our MP thinks of supporting local sport teams in Basingstoke.

“Shame on them. Ice Hockey is the biggest sport in Basingstoke. And has a massive fan base. The council need to rethink.”

Using the hashtag #keepiceinbasingstoke, another supporter of the campaign commented: “Once again the Conservatives have no idea what is important to its constituents.

“Completely ignoring the plight of the ice rink and the fact if they do nothing about it that a large proportion of the population of the town will be impacted, the children, grandchildren, parents and grandparents who all enjoy using the ice and watching ice hockey, and figure skating as well as just recreational use.

“Plenty of other councils have invested in their ice rinks so why shouldn’t ours when we all know it is cash rich!! Try investing in the area rather than property investments outside the area which only benefits the council’s pockets!”

Another user appreciated the investments in other sports, but said they have shown slopey shoulders with regards to ice hockey: “All worthy causes but the slopey shoulders with the regards to the ice hockey, ice dancers and casual skaters at the ice rink which has brought exercise and national recognition to the town makes it feel like you're hopeful chucking money at something will be seen as ‘investment’. It's not.”

One person said they would vote differently this year because of the party’s approach to ice hockey.

“The Ice Rink. Biggest spectator sport in the Borough and the most diverse user group in the town get £0. All we ask is that they do their job and make sure the rink is fit for purpose and they can’t even do that. Will definitely be voting differently this year.”

Another campaigner asked: “Where is the funding/support to ice sports in Basingstoke?

“Ice Hockey brings in the biggest crowds in the Borough (well it did prior to Covid) and skaters come from miles to train with coaches to compete in various figure disciplines yet the rink isn’t included in your list? I understand that it is privately owned but it brings a lot to the town and the rink is in danger of being lost due to the state it is in.

“My personal values are that children should have the opportunity of sport and if the rink ceases to exist, the Council will be singlehandedly denying children the opportunity to compete in ice sports.”

Meanwhile, Ice Rink users forum’s main campaigner Stewart Tempest has been banned from Basingstoke Conservative’s Facebook page.

There have been strong campaigns to save Basingstoke Ice Rink, which faces several hurdles, while the campaigners believe they are not getting enough support from the council.

When asked about the Facebook outrage, Basingstoke Conservative leader and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council leader Ken Rhatigan said he is happy with the investment into sport within the Borough.

He added: "And of course, if the right proposals come forward we will look at them for additional funding across the huge range of sports across our communities.

"The Ice rink is operated by Planet Ice which is a private company and we continue to discuss their needs but as with all private sporting establishments such as Golf Courses they survive on the basis of their offer to the Public.

About Mr Tempest being banned from the Facebook page, Cllr Rhatigan said he was unaware of it.

"I don’t control who is admitted to the Basingstoke Conservative Facebook pages, and was unaware of him being banned.

"There are many opportunities to get the Keep Ice in Basingstoke message out and as a defender of free speech I hope interaction will continue."