Grimsby Ice Rink reopens after ‘rollercoaster’ year
CHARITY DIPS INTO RESERVES TO KEEP ON TOP OF THINGS DURING PANDEMIC
ONE of the few ice rinks in our area has started a return to normality after welcoming the first people onto the ice since October last year.
Grimsby Ice Rink has only been open for a handful of weeks during the entirety of the coronavirus pandemic. However, as lockdown begins to ease, a return to normal life draws ever closer.
After shutting in March last year, the facility has barely had any action, causing a number of difficulties for members of the team like director Joanne Routh.
Over the past year, it’s been the hardest period of the time the club have faced in the three-and-a-half years since Joanne and the team took over. However, with a light at the end of the tunnel, she’s hoping this can be the start of something great for Grimsby Ice Rink.
“The past year has been a complete and utter rollercoaster for us, especially financially. It can cost us £1,000 a week just to keep the ice frozen and having no income to pay for that has been really hard on us. “We’re a completely self-funded service and having no income from our skaters has made things incredibly difficult. For some of our regulars, like the under-18s ice hockey team, they haven’t stepped foot on the ice since March 9 last year when we closed due to an incident.
“My biggest worry is that some may not want to come back at all and we’ll be left with even fewer people than before. At the minute, it’s incredibly quiet, which is a very odd feeling, I’m just hoping we can start to build some traction from next week onwards.
“Because we’re classed as entertainment rather than a sport, we’ve had to keep the rink shut and the fact we’re a charity means we haven’t been able to secure as big an amount in grants as we could’ve done with. “It’s all very depressing at times. We’ve been dipping into reserves to be able to keep on top of things, but that isn’t sustain- n able. There’s been a lot of really y hard moments throughout the e pandemic. January was especially difficult for us. We’d only y been open a short time and we knew we’d have to shut again n with the third lockdown looming.
“It’s impacted us so much more as January is our busiest period. We couldn’t capitalise on it though as we had to completely shut the operation down.” However, even while shut, Joanne and the team have been working hard to keep the rink ticking over. “We’ve been coming in quite a lot to paint the walls and to get everything ready for the day we could eventually open properly again. Thankfully, our online booking has been really popular, we’ve been completely booked within three or four days of advertising the under18 sessions.
“Although it was difficult to get people on board at first, I think it’s going to be much better for us in the long run. “Seeing the kids enjoying themselves on the ice is what we’ve missed the most though. Granted, it won’t be the same atmosphere as what we’re used to, but it’s just good to be open again.
“I just hope restrictions are lifted in accordance with the roadmap set out by the Prime Minister. We know our adult skaters are desperate to be back and we can’t wait to get them training again. “It’s been somewhat of a double-edged sword s though. Whilst we haven’t been able to open to all ages, it’s been good to see the younger skaters get involved and learning how to skate.”
Joanne’s daughter, Milly, 9, is a keen skater herself and is really happy to be back doing something she enjoys.
“I’ve missed seeing all my friends, I’ve been skating since I was two years old so it’s been strange not doing it for so long.
“Just before lockdown I’d got into competing as well so I’m hoping I can start doing that again in the near future.”
For employees Izzy Deans and Anna Pendred, they’re glad to see their colleagues and the other skaters.
Izzy said: “I’m thrilled to be back and out the house personally. It’s lovely seeing the kids having fun and being back on the ice.”
Anna echoed the sentiment saying: “It’s nice to be back, the team is a like a little family really.”
Thankfully, our online booking has been really popular ...
Joanne Routh