A TEMPORARY ice rink has been approved by councillors to end months of uncertainty for skaters in the area.

Slough Borough Council's cabinet approved a temporary rink while Slough Ice Arena closes for a nine month redevelopment project.

The temporary rink will be based in an area of Montem car park from November for the duration of the works at a cost of £336,000.

The news is to be a relief for community groups such as Special People On Ice (SPICE) and sports team Slough Jets, who faced a grim future had no temporary rink been provided.

Alison Hibbert, leisure strategy manager, said: "If the planning application is approved in October, I am confident the temporary provision will be in place by mid-November.

"There is an extremely tight timescale for work to be completed and there is no further scope for delays.

"The social return in this provision is not to be underestimated as the benefit will impact on the residents in Slough, particularly the younger ones."

The initial cost of the temporary arena was £632,000 which was considered by cabinet in July, but after reconsidering the costs officers were able to reduce the price to £336,000, by introducing a temporary car park instead of a permanent tarmacked one, and also reducing costs of service provider Amey.

The temporary ice rink will be provided and managed by a private operator and will be a full sized (20m x 50m), enclosed ice rink that can be used for leisure and competitions alike.

The proposal is also for seating for 300 spectators, a changing area, toilets and skate hire.

Temporary car parking will also be provided, with 125 spaces on a grassed area of Montem recreation site highlighted.

For more, pick up a copy of Friday's Slough Observer.