The pop-up ice rink at MediaCityUK is attracting hundreds of skaters – with some wishing it could be here all year.
More than 700 people visited the rink just on the weekend and hundreds more are expected at the rink, which is open to the public until January 5.
Former junior ice hockey player and staff member Matt Mitchell believes everyone should come ice skate, from beginners to seasoned veterans. He said:
“It is so worth trying for everybody anybody can skate, no matter how young you are or how old you are, if you have done it before, if you have not done it before.
“It is a great activity for the whole family. Everybody should try it at least once.”
Charley Booth, who has skated multiple times at the seasonal rinks, is very satisfied with the rink’s conditions this year:
He said: “It’s bang on. It’s good that its under a roof, the number of people that come is great. The rink is well staffed, they always come over and help out which is really good.”
The opening of the seasonal rink brings with it the debate of whether or not there should be a permanent ice rink in the area.
Currently, the closest permanent ice rink to Salford is Planet Ice, in Altrincham. That means it could take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and half for someone to reach their nearest rink.
Almost 30 per cent of the Manchester Metros, an ice hockey team that brings together university students from the three largest universities in Greater Manchester, are students at the University of Salford.
Conference✅
Varsity✅
Nationals✅
Playoffs✅Quadruple baby. pic.twitter.com/4i4UGleS1y
— Manchester Metros (@MancMetros) April 22, 2018
Former student and Metros ice hockey player Andrew MacKinnon says that having a rink closer to Salford could be good for the community:
“Community wise it would be great. I can’t profess to know costs of running a facility, but previously Deeside Ice rink was run by the council and had the cheapest ice time anywhere in the north west.
“If a council can get behind a rink and help provide the facilities at reasonable prices, people will take them up on!
“The easier the access the more people who will get involved. I know in the past there have been students who have been put off playing university hockey because the rink is so far away from Salford.
“I used to live in Salford and the 45 minute drive to the rink was off putting. I’m not sure the value a temporary rink adds, but a permanent rink would be a great addition to the area.”
In its first week the rink was also venue for a marriage proposal.
Wow wow wow!! We had our first proposal the other day. Congratulations to the happy couple. ? pic.twitter.com/1GAABEnU0A
— Manchester Ice Rink (@Mcr_IceRink) December 7, 2019
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