Dudley campaigner 'hopeful' for ice rink

Leah Court, aged 22, believes that the people of Dudley would benefit "enormously" from such an attraction and petitioned the borough council to build one in partnership with developers.

She has spoken to council bosses and said that she was hopeful regeneration plans for the borough could see an ice rink built within the next two years.

Leah, a science student at Wolverhampton University, enjoys ice skating as a hobby but has had to travel as far as Cannock to enjoy the activity.

She began raising an online petition to get an ice rink for her home town last August and was delighted when more than 500 people and some local councillors backed the move.

Dudley used to have a skating rink many years ago which was sited opposite the Station Hotel.

'Delighted'

Leah said: "I am obviously delighted that Dudley Borough Council has included an ice rink, along with new homes and shops, as part of a proposed regeneration scheme.

"I understand that hopefully this will go ahead but this could be dependent on investment.

"There are the plans for a Metro line which would improve links to Birmingham and for the establishment of a university campus.

"We do not have anywhere nearby with an ice rink and the nearest are located at Telford and Cannock.

"People of all age, backgrounds and abilities can benefit from this and as well as the general public using it as a leisure activity it would also promote ice sporting events such as figure skating, speed skating, curling, ice hockey and disabled ice sports, as well as public show performances on ice and ice discos.

"The possibilities are endless.

"I am hopeful that an ice rink could be built in the next two years and would just like to say a massive thanks to everyone who signed the petition."