Any UK Rink Closures Due to Corona Virus?

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I've got a receipt dated 20th March 2020, paid at 05:40 AM.

This was the last time I skated; hard to believe it has been a year now.

While there is some sort of plan for lifting the lockdown in the UK, I share transmissionoftheflame's concerns.

I've kept fit with regular running/jumping, and some parallette exercises; it's harder than it looks!

Also maintained the basic stretches for the spiral/camel spin, & spread eagle positions; nothing OTT.

If there is eventually decent ice to go back to, I'll be there; I'm not giving up just yet.

Although completely different sports, see if this sounds familar;

TT3D: Closer to the Edge

0:00:27 (Chris Mayhew) "There is nothing to compare it with. It’s the most exhilarating place in the world. It’s like being able to fly. Just like growing wings. If it’s in your blood, you.. you can’t get it out. You just want more."

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Following the annoucement yesterday for England;
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-at-coronavirus-press-conference-10-may-2021

BIS/NISA has posted the reopening for adults for England;
https://www.iceskating.org.uk/post/adults-return-to-the-ice-from-may-17th
https://www.iceskating.org.uk/post/lockdown-roadmap-stage-3-updated-rules

Keep in mind that some of the 'measures' will still be in place.

Wales; hoping to open soon;
https://www.icearenawales.com/news/ice-arena-wales-may-2021/

Scotland's going to be roughly the same as England; opening May 17th.
https://www.gov.scot/news/next-steps-out-of-lockdown/

Northern Ireland has pencilled the 24th May.

[transmissionoftheflame]

Not directly connected to covid, but Lee Valley rink is closing, so that they can replace the current single pad with a two-pad rink.  The project has been on the cards for a while.  Initially I believe the plan was to build the first new pad while the old one was still open but probably that's more costly so skaters will need to use alternatives (Romford, Alexandra Palace) while it's being built.

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Update for Northern Ireland; yep 24th next Monday, it's on for Dundonald Ice Bowl.

https://www.theicebowl.com/activities/ice-skating

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Petition for the Cardiff rink;

https://www.change.org/p/welsh-government-save-the-future-of-welsh-ice-sports-athletes

[transmissionoftheflame]

Rinks are still not properly open anywhere in the UK.  If you want ice sports, or anything else, to be sustainable, you have to oppose the root cause - futile lockdowns.  Pleading your activity is a special case isn't going to get the job done, and anyway no activities are special cases.

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This was mentioned on the BBC News, 23rd June; https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57572148

The current restrictions: https://gov.wales/business-closures-current-restrictions#section-67395
Note on the exceptions that the restiction is specific to ice rinks.

Last year there was a Freedom of Information request published, 29th Sept 2020;
https://gov.wales/atisn14266
"risk transmission and infection is higher indoors in cooler, noisy and humid environments"
This is possibly a mistake, or a reveal as to their logic.
Previously there have been studies published about coronavirus spread in abattoirs, which have a humid environment.
However (most well run) ice rinks have lower humidity, to prevent condensation/drips.
What they need to do is pump the air through a box/chamber with ultraviolet lights in to kill it.
Or as a case study tens of rinks are collectively already operating in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Also remember that Wales is currently a Labour majority;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Senedd_election
In the parliamentary votes only a few Labour MPs have opposed the coronavirus restrictions.

From a business perspective Cardiff rink has struggled in the past (without restrictions).
Unless it can operate fully, I don't see it being currently viable.

Some chatter on the Cardiff Devils forum that prep work might be underway for reopening;
http://www.the-inferno.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/increased-activity-outside-iaw-%E2%80%A6.12609/page-22

[WednesdayMarch]

Plymouth Pavilions rink has announced it will reopen on 27th August! We're very excited, but also a little sceptical as to whether it will actually happen, especially given the current rise in CV-19 infections. The rink has posted a video on Instagram of the work they're doing at the moment and I do know that they are currently in the building renovating in preparation for the reopening, so maybe... 

It is only a matter of time, however, until it closes again and for good. The building is very run down and the hotel building planned for the site once the new rink has been built has already started.

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14 July 2021
https://gov.wales/next-steps-towards-future-fewer-covid-rules-first-minister

"From 17 July, Wales will move fully to alert level one, including:
..
Ice rinks can reopen."

[WednesdayMarch]

14 July 2021
https://gov.wales/next-steps-towards-future-fewer-covid-rules-first-minister

"From 17 July, Wales will move fully to alert level one, including:
..
Ice rinks can reopen."

Woohoo! At long last!

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Update from the rink; https://www.icearenawales.com/news/ice-arena-wales-may-2021/

"In anticipation of today’s positive news, we have been working over the last 4 weeks towards a re-opening date of August 1st. A more detailed announcement will be released in the next 48 hours, which will outline our official re-opening date."