Cherries boss gets skates on for rink (From Thisisdorset)
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Cherries boss gets skates on for rink
1:00pm Tuesday 1st January 2013 in Latest By Melanie Vass
HELPING HAND:
CHERRIES boss Eddie Mitchell is offering to kickstart plans for a new Olympic-sized ice rink in Bournemouth’s Kings Park.
The AFC Bournemouth chairman said he would speak to Max Demin, the football club’s Russian backer, about funding the proposals.
But he said he wanted a year’s exclusivity on the site to ensure they weren’t wasting their time.
He said: “Kings Park is a wonderful place to have an ice rink – it would complement the rest of the facilities here well.
“I would like to have a year’s exclusivity so that we could make approaches and have the time to see them through. I couldn’t risk the football club being involved in it as it’s a separate entity but I think if I had a year, we would have every chance of putting something together.
“Ice hockey and ice rinks are a big thing in Russia and I’m sure the club’s Russian backers would be interested in something like this.
“But it would take some dedication from the council as well. It’s easy to roll out an idea but when you see how many hoops people have to jump through, it normally takes forever and leaves everybody exhausted.”
The council has already secured outline planning permission for an ice rink at Kings Park and has offered to give the site to a company prepared to build and operate a rink.
However, the tender process for interested developers ended without generating a single bid and the plans have been put on hold until the state of the economy improves.
Cllr John Beesley, leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, said: “We are already in discussions with AFC Bournemouth regarding proposals for an ice stadium. Bournemouth council is fully committed to the development and has obtained outline planning consent for an ice stadium a couple of years ago.
“We are therefore very keen to see the development at Kings Park progressed and we are willing to work with those who wish to put forward their proposals.”
Comments(27)
CourtOffside
says...
1:32pm Tue 1 Jan 13
An ice stadium is too limited a way of looking at things though. It would be better to be a multi-purpose indoor stadium with an ice rink as part of the facilities. With the ice covered, the venue could then also be used for all sorts of sports, as well as arts/music.
Let's hope it will happen!
djd
says...
1:45pm Tue 1 Jan 13
This will never happen as long as an elite few are allowed to dictate to the majority.
abc100
says...
1:50pm Tue 1 Jan 13
BmthNewshound
says...
2:51pm Tue 1 Jan 13
.
AFC Bournemouth has struggled from one cash crisis to another, can the town sustain a professional ice hockey team ?
cosham saint
says...
2:57pm Tue 1 Jan 13
BmthNewshound wrote:Where in this article does it say ice Hockey Team..? God what a miserable sod you are no wonder Bournemouth is far beind other towns and cities!
“Ice hockey and ice rinks are a big thing in Russia ....... political corruption is a big thing in Russia too.
.
AFC Bournemouth has struggled from one cash crisis to another, can the town sustain a professional ice hockey team ?
For interest the local rink here is the Planet ice in Gosport, it is vile and may as well have no roof, but that doesnt stop it having a queue of people eager to part company wkith £6 for every session.
Oh and unless I am mistaken when I last looked at the ice Hockey elite league I dont recall seeing Gosport (or indeed Ryde I.O.W) so perhaps reign you neck in and get behind the russians.
retry69
says...
3:34pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Markmag
says...
3:48pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Arjay
says...
4:16pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Markmag wrote:It doesn't take most folk too long to realise that much of what Bob49 writes is nonsense.. but that's what public forums are all about - the chance for everyone to have their say... however silly it may be!
Can't wait for Bob49 to post a reply to this - he must be foaming at the mouth at this news considering he's spent the last few years spreading untruths about a potential ice rink development in Boscombe on nearly every story on this website.
As a purely commercial idea for a 'fun' venue, then it could well be that an ice rink at Kings Park may not be viable.
Add the concept of a proper sports facility (ice hockey - figure skating -ice dancing - speed skating) in addition to the 'fun' public skating sessions then the whole picture changes.
How best to finance both options? - that is the really difficult question.
It that needs Russian funds to help -great!
CourtOffside
says...
5:55pm Tue 1 Jan 13
BmthNewshound wrote:The team itself isn't that difficult to sustain - Ice Hockey has much better financial controls than football with an effective salary capping mechanism.. but an Ice Hockey team won't sustain the stadium. It needs to be one part of a bigger package of a multi-use indoor arena to be workable. Many rinks in North America are convertible from ice hockey to basketball or a concert venue in a matter of hours for example. When you stop thinking about "just" an ice rink and start thinking about it this way it's clear that there's many ways to make this kind of venue profitable.
“Ice hockey and ice rinks are a big thing in Russia ....... political corruption is a big thing in Russia too.
.
AFC Bournemouth has struggled from one cash crisis to another, can the town sustain a professional ice hockey team ?
Bob49
says...
6:03pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Markmag wrote:Yes, I have to hold my hands up and admit that I stated that there would be NO ice rink would be built, long before it even went to the planning committee. How wrong I was.
Can't wait for Bob49 to post a reply to this - he must be foaming at the mouth at this news considering he's spent the last few years spreading untruths about a potential ice rink development in Boscombe on nearly every story on this website.
I also stated way, way before the reef was ever stated that it would be a failure - and that the whole project would ot deliver. I even went as far as to say that it would COST money rather than deliver a profit. How wrong I was
Silly old me.
Now perhaps the less dimwitted might just ask themselves why have SO many ice rinks closed in the past year or so ? Why did the proposed ice rink at Southampton fall through ? Why was there NOT ONE single proposal or bid to build an ice rink on Kings Park ?
Did the council not take ANY soundings before they rushed the planning permission through ? And why was the planning permission rushed through - with one councillor attempting to block any debate by proposing that the decision be put to the vote before any debate or petitions had been heard ? A stitched up deal, perhaps ?
This is not about building some farcical ice rink, it is about land, held in trust for the townsfolk of Bournemouth, being handed over to the usual 'elite few' (favoured developers).
It is about taxpayers money being used to assist that handover, as with the former Imax site (£10m plus), as with the £2m plus raided from the capital fund to bale out the huge losses on the surfpods.
When you grasp why the council was so desterate to push through hnading over public land to persons unknown (supposedly) for a project that wasn't commercially viable - then the rest will fall into place..
chridrum
says...
6:22pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Most of the houses around Kings Park were in fact built at the same time as the park. The park belongs to all of us and is enjoyed by many people, it is right to protect that. Local residents help by reporting crime, fallen trees etc to the police and the council.
It is my backyard and I am therefore aware of the pleasure it brings to many. The loss of more green space would mean many of the activities could not take place.
sea poole
says...
8:04pm Tue 1 Jan 13
Arjay
says...
8:14pm Tue 1 Jan 13
sea poole wrote:Don't encourage him! --- people who write the kind of pompous nonsense that Bob49 writes rely on people reacting, to feed their egos!..
Bob49 -Try re-spelling your title with another initial consonant- that would reflect the logic of your arguments...e.g. 'N'
...bu**er... now look what you've made me do!
John T
says...
2:44am Wed 2 Jan 13
sea poole wrote:Surely, you cannot be the same sea poole who fought so hard against the proposed iconic Solar Pyramid that was to be built across the road from where he lives on public open space at Baiter, but thinks that because the sun shines through Eddie Mitchell's a rse, you are quite happy to encourage development of public land miles away from where you live.
Bob49 -Try re-spelling your title with another initial consonant- that would reflect the logic of your arguments...e.g. 'N'
Please explain the logic of your arguments....other than Nimbyism from an erstwhile Labour supporter.
Roband65
says...
9:57am Wed 2 Jan 13
Markmag
says...
11:53am Wed 2 Jan 13
Bob49 wrote:So basically you're implying that the only reason anyone could possibly want an Ice Rink built is due to backhanders from developers. Even though these developers don't exist. Genius. Do you listen to yourself?
Markmag wrote:Yes, I have to hold my hands up and admit that I stated that there would be NO ice rink would be built, long before it even went to the planning committee. How wrong I was.
Can't wait for Bob49 to post a reply to this - he must be foaming at the mouth at this news considering he's spent the last few years spreading untruths about a potential ice rink development in Boscombe on nearly every story on this website.
I also stated way, way before the reef was ever stated that it would be a failure - and that the whole project would ot deliver. I even went as far as to say that it would COST money rather than deliver a profit. How wrong I was
Silly old me.
Now perhaps the less dimwitted might just ask themselves why have SO many ice rinks closed in the past year or so ? Why did the proposed ice rink at Southampton fall through ? Why was there NOT ONE single proposal or bid to build an ice rink on Kings Park ?
Did the council not take ANY soundings before they rushed the planning permission through ? And why was the planning permission rushed through - with one councillor attempting to block any debate by proposing that the decision be put to the vote before any debate or petitions had been heard ? A stitched up deal, perhaps ?
This is not about building some farcical ice rink, it is about land, held in trust for the townsfolk of Bournemouth, being handed over to the usual 'elite few' (favoured developers).
It is about taxpayers money being used to assist that handover, as with the former Imax site (£10m plus), as with the £2m plus raided from the capital fund to bale out the huge losses on the surfpods.
When you grasp why the council was so desterate to push through hnading over public land to persons unknown (supposedly) for a project that wasn't commercially viable - then the rest will fall into place..
And once again you're making out ice rinks are closing left right and centre which just is not true (The Southampton scheme was, unlike Bournemouths, always ill conceived as it was reliant on grants that Bournemouth knew were unlikely and didn't include in it's plan) and once again you make out this muddy field with an indoor bowls centre on one side and an industrial estate on another and a fence on another side cannot provide more benefit to the community with a proper purpose built sports venue that is truly highly desired by the local community as proven by detailed surveys, then it does in it's current form. And once again you link every development - surf reef, IMAX etc together hoping for failure by association.
Don't get me wrong you provide a great laugh on here, I just worry that some people might believe what you say, unlikely as it seems.
Arjay
says...
12:55pm Wed 2 Jan 13
" I just worry that some people might believe what you say, unlikely as it seems".
Not much chance of that, fortunately. Most people aren't that daft....
What is odd is the fact that much of what Bob49 writes seems to be reasonably well constructed, grammatically, which is unusual for such nonsensical comments.....
sea poole
says...
2:46pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Bob49
says...
3:46pm Wed 2 Jan 13
In this fantasy world we now also have "these developers don't exist". Whereas in reality a quick glance at the planning applications shows there are numerous developers trying to build flats on council land.
The clue here is "this muddy field ". An emotive description of an open green sports field that is used by numerous sports clubs - and the local school.
As to closing Ice Rinks "ice rinks are closing left right and centre " I give you - Streatham, Romford, Norwich, Bristol, Plymouth with both Sothampton and this scam failing to get off the ground. All do to my posts ?
So why is a non financially viable development being proposed for a totally unsuitable area ? What is really behind the wish to hand over public owned green park space to developers - I think we can all guess, despite the lies and misrepresentation from the usual suspects.
ps the taxpayers of Bournemouth would do well to remember the lies claimed for Boscombe seafront to justify handing it over. The family attractions, the impressive piazza in front of the pier, the up market cafes and retail outlets on the pier head and the assurance that the development WOULDN'T go above the skyline. All quickly forgotten once the bonuses had been divi'ed up.
Think it can't happen again, think again..,
Arjay
says...
6:00pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Bob49 wrote:You really do write some biased, ill informed, and sometimes just wrong nonsense, on occasion!
Oh dear, it appears I was wrong and the surf reef works and the surf pods have not cost us £2m.
In this fantasy world we now also have "these developers don't exist". Whereas in reality a quick glance at the planning applications shows there are numerous developers trying to build flats on council land.
The clue here is "this muddy field ". An emotive description of an open green sports field that is used by numerous sports clubs - and the local school.
As to closing Ice Rinks "ice rinks are closing left right and centre " I give you - Streatham, Romford, Norwich, Bristol, Plymouth with both Sothampton and this scam failing to get off the ground. All do to my posts ?
So why is a non financially viable development being proposed for a totally unsuitable area ? What is really behind the wish to hand over public owned green park space to developers - I think we can all guess, despite the lies and misrepresentation from the usual suspects.
ps the taxpayers of Bournemouth would do well to remember the lies claimed for Boscombe seafront to justify handing it over. The family attractions, the impressive piazza in front of the pier, the up market cafes and retail outlets on the pier head and the assurance that the development WOULDN'T go above the skyline. All quickly forgotten once the bonuses had been divi'ed up.
Think it can't happen again, think again..,
I well remember your indignant and arrogant responses, to my comments about the Royal Marines' Taliban murder trial being held 'in camera'.
You were totally convinced that should not (and would not) be the case, and tried to dismiss my comments with that wonderfully pompous style you adopt.
You were of course wrong (as usual!) The Marines trial will be held 'in camera'.
Of the 5 ice rink 'closures' you describe, 2 are still open, 2 are to be replaced and Norwich is due to a technical failure, rather than any desire to close the facility due to lack of support.
In all cases, there has been much local opposition. There is tremendous interest in ice skating nationally - as the temporary local ice rinks show -- and Kings Park would be an excellent choice for a proper sporting ice venue.
It would mean that local folk would no longer need to travel on a 100 miles round trip, to enjoy a very enjoyable and healthy pastime, on a regular basis.
And who knows, we might just get to help train the next John Curry - or Robin Cousins - or Torvill and Dean?
You seem to see conspiracy in everything. If town development had been left to people like you, we would all be still living in caves!
Of course there are schemes that fail. And I'm in some cases, I'm sure that blame can be laid against individual decisions.
But why you have this obsession with 'conspiracies' everywhere, I simply do not understand.
It really would be arrogant (and possibly libellous?) to suggest that all local officials are corrupt......
Bob49
says...
8:08pm Wed 2 Jan 13
There is not a conspiracy in everything - perhaps it is you who is being a bit too paranoid.
There is the plain facts though. The Boscombe seafront DD NOT deliver on it's original promises. The reff HAS failed. The surf pods HAVE cost a further £m in losses.
Given that there NEVER was any bid or interest iby anyone in building an ice rink ay Kings Park then there will be the question of why was it so hurriedly rushed thriough planning ?
ps mayve someone could donate their 30 pieces of silver to help this most worthy of caises etc.
Arjay
says...
9:11pm Wed 2 Jan 13
Still, as long as you can 'vent your spleen' only here in the Echo, then you can't really do much damage.....thank goodness.
cjfoot
says...
10:47am Thu 3 Jan 13
CourtOffside
says...
11:21am Thu 3 Jan 13
cjfoot wrote:Why?
As I live on the other side of the world I get most of info from here. Whilst I am sure that the ice rink would be of great value, I would think that if Mr Mitchell wants to spend his and his russian partner's money it would be better spent on buying back the stadium.After all you would think that this would be the higher priority. No more rent, interest etc. Just a thought. Colin
If you work out how long it would take for the savings on rent to cover the cost of repurchasing the stadium, you're looking at about 20 years for any ROI with the landlord's current asking price.
There's simply no point in tying up that amount of money with no return on it for a generation.
cjfoot
says...
11:39am Thu 3 Jan 13
CourtOffside
says...
10:17am Fri 4 Jan 13
The stadium would cost a lump sum to buy back.
Once you bought it back, each year there would be a saving to the club of approximately £350,000 rent.
With the current asking price for the stadium being what it is, it would take 20 years for the saving in rent to add up to the amount of money shelled out on buying it back - i.e. 20 years to provide a return on a massive cash investment.
It simply doesn't make any sense to do that.
Why would Mitchell/Demin want to do this instead?
It could be very profitable. As I have argued before, ice is very easy to cover and make the building multi-purpose. As soon as you have an ice stadium you have a basketball stadium, a futsal stadium, a masters football arena - a venue for any indoor sport you can think of. You have a concert venue and an exhibition hall. Yes, there's recreational skating, lessons and all that - but there's far more opportunities to make this proposed building pay than people appear to realise.
Furthermore they would have lower overheads as operators than others would as there are lots of operational things that an ice stadium and a hockey club need that they already have by virtue of owning the football club and the facilities that are now in Dean Court. Ticketing, training, catering etc...
Paul mc61 says...
1:20pm Tue 1 Jan 13
And a quick note to the kings park nimby,s, THE PARK WAS THERE FOR TOWN USE YEARS BEFORE YOUR HOUSES WERE BUILT