LONDON, UK – If Robert Van Winkle were to re-release his only smash hit single again in 2009, the influence would not be a celebration of London’s ice facilities. I use all three of London’s ice rinks that are able to host hockey and with the future of at least two of these rinks currently being speculated upon, it would not come as a total surprise if the capital had only one rink remaining over the next few years. 
Alexandra Palace, the historic home of the Haringey Greyhounds, is the only rink in North London. Perched above the city with fantastic views and once briefly nicknamed by the very brief London Racers as ‘The Chill on the Hill’. The future of the rink has been under increasing speculation over the past few years. Known by players across the leagues for its hump in the middle of the ice and by fans for its sub zero temperatures, the facility is certainly not perfect. Despite its shortcomings the sightlines for spectators are excellent albeit through netting and more importantly it provides a place to play hockey seven days a week. Used by at least seven recreational teams, Haringey Juniors and of course the Greyhounds, you can be sure that when you are tucked up in bed there will be somebody still up playing hockey at the Palace. Despite being a grade two listed building the ice rink itself is not safe from destruction and only two years ago it was granted a reprieve due to a court ruling that stopped the Firoka Group entering a 125 year lease with the Palace trustees that would have seen the facility be used for a casino among other things. The rink desperately needs work done on its ice pad and it is no secret that it is coming to the end of its lifespan. Rumours are abound that the rink will be rebuilt over the next couple of years with a temporary rink being erected in the current car park. Sadly this rink will not be suitable for hockey. This would leave the Greyhounds without a home for at least a couple of years and the other teams in a desperate scramble for ice elsewhere. Down in south London, Streatham ice rink remains frozen in time. With boards and plexi glass that look like they have just been hit by an earthquake, the rink could certainly do with some investment. Sadly the investment is not forthcoming and the rink is seemingly mothballed with plans for a new facility still in the pipeline for 2011. Bearing in mind work was due to start on a ‘professional ice rink’ as part of the Streatham hub development in early 2008, the work is well behind schedule, however those in the know are confident that the new rink will be built. As a natural cynic I will believe it when I see the building start. The owners of the site are Tesco and they have a contractual obligation to build a new rink before they demolish the existing one. Just like Alexandra Palace, Streatham ice rink is not only the home rink of the mighty Streatham Redskins, it is also used virtually every night of the week for hockey and also has bustling skating sessions. The most stable of all London’s ice rinks seems to be Lee Valley in east London. The home of the Lions is probably the best rink to play hockey in. With nice ice, good boards and plexi glass the Lee Valley Ice Centre is a good venue to skate in. Unfortunately the home team cannot seem to put a competitive team 
together and find themselves competing in ENL 2 this year with little prospect of promotion. Out of all the rinks in London it seems the least likely to disappear over the coming years as it is owned and managed by the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. It did court controversy in 2005 when the London Racers abandoned their whole season on grounds of safety concerns however the Lee Valley Lions have played there without incident to the present day. Of course these three rinks are not the only ice facilities in the capital. The Sobell centre lies just yards away from the glamorous Emirates stadium in Finsbury Park. However with an ice pad the size of a postage stamp and little room for spectators, it has zero chance of hosting any hockey other than three on three tournaments at best. Slap bang in London’s wealthy Bayswater there is the Queensway rink. Sadly a low roof and a few incidents of pucks damaging the ceiling have put paid to any team operating from what would be the most central location with permanent ice in the city. Worrying times indeed for all of the hockey community in the capital, however I suspect that the current situation is no different from any other point in modern history. Hopefully we can all hang on to our ice facilities for a little longer yet. Still wondering who Robert Van Winkle is? If I tell you his smash hit single was titled ‘Ice, Ice baby’ then I am sure you can work it out. Thanks for reading and stay safe Carrsy Contact the author David.Carr@prohockeynews.com
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