Ally Pally ice rink closed for the summer (From Haringey Independent)

Alexandra Palace ice rink closed for the summer

11:21am Tuesday 13th April 2010 in Alexandra Palace By Elizabeth Pears

ALEXANDRA Palace ice rink will be closed all summer in a massive blow to young people who flock to the venue, it was revealed today.

The ice rink, housed in the dilapidated landmark, will closes its doors for six months on Thursday, May 6, for "major refurbishment".

As a gesture of goodwill, it is offering skaters one last chance to glide across the ice for free on May 5, before it reopens in autumn with a new international-sized rink.

The new rink will measure 56 metres by 26 metres, and other improvement works include a more efficient and environmentally-friendly chiller system, additional seatig to house up to 1,000.

Toilet and changing room facilities will also be upgraded, bosses said.

A planning application for a temporary ice rink has been submitted to Haringey Council on palace grounds, run by former Dancing on Ice winner Kyran Bracken whose company has run similar rinks around the country.

Rebecca Kane, managing director of Alexandra Palace Trading Limited said: "If our application is successful, the temporary rink would be housed in a marquee on the little used Pavilion Car Park and could be operational as soon as late May or early June if permission is given.

"It would mean not having to disappoint our regular skaters while this essential work to replace the permanent rink goes ahead. It would also be an additional attraction to draw people to the palace and park from further afield for a fun summer day’s out."