Public skating at new Leeds ice rink on Elland Road delayed by 24 hours

SKATERS will have to wait a touch longer before hitting the ice at Leeds’ new Elland Road rink with the time of the first public skating session being put back one day.
By Phil Harrison
Published 24th Jan 2020, 19:09 BST
Updated 24th Jan 2020, 19:10 BST
Leeds' new ice rink, as seen earlier this month, is due to open for public skating at 11am on Saturday, February 1.Leeds' new ice rink, as seen earlier this month, is due to open for public skating at 11am on Saturday, February 1.
Leeds' new ice rink, as seen earlier this month, is due to open for public skating at 11am on Saturday, February 1.

Rink operators Planet Ice announced last month that the facility would open its doors for the first time at 4pm on Friday, January 31 when it would hold its first-ever public skating session.

But people in and around Leeds will now have to wait until 11am the following day - Saturday, February 1 - before getting their first experience of the new facility.

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The reason behind the slight delay is due to the Leeds Chiefs ice hockey team making their historic home debut at 7.30pm on January 31 against Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Steeldogs.

Leeds Chiefs, seen celebrating during last week's win at leaders Telford Tigers, will be first to use the new Elland Road rink when they host Sheffield Steeldogs on Friday, January 31. Picture courtesy of Steve Brodie.Leeds Chiefs, seen celebrating during last week's win at leaders Telford Tigers, will be first to use the new Elland Road rink when they host Sheffield Steeldogs on Friday, January 31. Picture courtesy of Steve Brodie.
Leeds Chiefs, seen celebrating during last week's win at leaders Telford Tigers, will be first to use the new Elland Road rink when they host Sheffield Steeldogs on Friday, January 31. Picture courtesy of Steve Brodie.

It has been decided that the turnaround between the public skate and getting in 500-plus fans for NIHL National derby clash would be a better opening to the brand new building, leading to Planet Ice delaying the first public skating session until the following day.

Simon McGuinness, General Manager of Planet Ice Leeds, said: “We can only apologise for what is a slight further delay for the general public to experience skating at the new rink.

“We just felt it best for all concerned to have the first public session on the Saturday morning in order to make it the best possible experience for everybody.

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“It also allows us to concentrate on making the first Leeds Chiefs’ home game at Elland Road a great experience for all those who have already bought tickets. It's a big night for the club and the rink and one we're all excited about.

“We hope to release details of a few more tickets being made available for the match in the next few days.”

While disappointing, the latest delay - in terms of the public skating - is minor compared to the previous delays which have beset the project.

The rink was originally scheduled to open in August and, after missing that deadline, was billed to be opening shortly before Christmas.

Prices and times of public skate and all the other experiences on offer at the new rink available HERE

Related topics:LeedsElland RoadYorkshire