Redskins home under threat

LONDON , UK – It was only a month ago that I wrote about the shocking state of ice facilities in the capital. London can be rightly proud of many things, but the number and calibre of its ice rinks are unlikely to make citizens misty eyed with pride.
 
With 78 years of history tucked inside its walls, Streatham ice rink is one of the oldest in the UK and serves pretty much the whole of south London. With this in mind, many were concerned when in 2000, supermarket leviathons Tesco purchased the site only for strong protests from locals to halt demolition. In 2003 Tesco agreed a deal with Lambeth council that ensured that the supermarket giant would guarantee continuity of Streatham’s ice rink provision until the building of a new ice rink complex was completed.
 
In recent months Tesco has made proposals to renege on this guarantee citing the ‘credit crunch’, and if the council agree, this means that the ice rink would be in danger of closure at any point.
 
Now lets be honest, history has proved time and time again that once an ice rink in the UK closes, they are rarely replaced. I have personally seen three of my former ice hockey clubs (Durham, Sunderland and Billingham) dissolve due to the closure of their ice rink and I am determined that Streatham will not be the fourth.
 

I was in the Oxford City Stars team that played Streatham Redskins on their return to senior league ice hockey in 2003 and it was a moving experience in the old High Road rink that night. Ice hockey may only be a part of the ice rink’s make up but it really is the heartbeat as far as I am concerned. The many junior, recreational and women’s teams need this facility as much as the Redskins do and if it does close with no replacement ready and waiting, the players of these teams will be without recreation and exercise. Not to mention the many fans that enjoy Sunday evenings cheering on South London’s only senior league hockey team.
 
Ice hockey has been played in Streatham since 1932 and we need that legacy to continue so please sign the petition below:
 
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/keep-streatham-skating.html
 
At the very least, the ice hockey community needs to show support for hockey in Streatham. We can’t afford to go down without a fight.
 
Thanks for reading and stay safe.
 
Carrsy
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com