The Isle of Wight has more than 40 years of history supporting talented young Islanders to become national and international competition winning skaters.
Although, the Ryde Arena ice rink closed in 2016, Wight Ice Leisure, the charity established to reopen a rink, has provided financial support to enable young ice skaters and ice hockey players to train on the mainland and compete successfully.
This support is continuing and young Island skaters are still travelling weekly to Gosport (and other rinks across the mainland).
Wight Ice Leisure is now rebranding as Ryde Community Development Trust to support the wider community of Ryde.
The Trust is working closely with Ryde Town Council on a range of projects such as a new skate park on the Esplanade, accessibility on the Ryde beaches and a community garden.
Wight Aid has awarded a grant to the Trust to develop an ice skating programme.
Cllr Michael Lilley, Chair of Ryde Community Development Trust, says:
“Ice skating and hockey are part of the DNA of Ryde, and it was a very sad day when the ice rink closed.
"Wight Ice Leisure (now RCDT) has tried hard to get a new rink back but importantly it has made sure our talented young skaters and ice hockey players are supported to realise their dreams.
"Wight Aid’s grant enables us to continue this.”
Although, it has been announced that Isle of Wight Distillery is in the process of purchasing the Arena Lease, RCDT still hopes one day a new ice rink will come back to the Island.
Robbie Jones, a trustee and a former ice hockey player said:
“This grant keeps alive ice skating and hockey as an available sport for young islanders.
"We welcome the news of Mermaid bringing back the empty Arena into productive and job creating use.
"Without the Ryde Arena, I would not have gone onto university and gained employment, it was life changing, and I don’t want to see other young people’s dreams and opportunities dashed.”
The grant is already supporting a group of young women regularly travelling to train at Gosport Ice Rink.
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