New Rink

[Soundwave1]

I'm surprised this hasn't got its own thread by now (perhaps it's because we've had so many false dawns)

However, Shannon said on the real sports phone in that Matt Burge has been awarded the build for the new ice rink. They are looking at a couple of options with the council which includes a twin pad. They're looking to get it built in the next two years. It will be at the sports village.

This seems the most positive news we've heard so far regarding the Devils' new home.

Any thougts on this?

 

[Gaz G]

Daft question coming up but where actually is the sports "village" I'm guessing it's where the rink and pool are now but if it's to be a sports village then there surely has to be more than 2 things there.

 

[Wannabe2]

Bit of a joke really, they are in the process of building the canoe slalom, which is by the roundabout by the pool. But you have to realise we also have Toys r us, and Morrisons, which as everyone knows plays a huge part in any INTERNATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE, dont forget every little helps. Only Wales could do this

 

[Gingers Husband]

Shannon said the online shop would be up by the end of November, if the organisation can't deliver on that what makes them think they can manage a twin-pad ice rink? Or did they mean the same year?
Gaz, the canoeing/white water rafting thingy is well underway, how many sports constitute a village though?

 

[Legin]

Daft question coming up but where actually is the sports "village" I'm guessing it's where the rink and pool are now but if it's to be a sports village then there surely has to be more than 2 things there.

If I recall correctly I think the Council had a grant from the EEC to clean the site for the sports village and it was specified they had to have at least 2 sporting facilities on site, or the grant would have to be repayed.

 

[Gaz G]

Shannon said the online shop would be up by the end of November, if the organisation can't deliver on that what makes them think they can manage a twin-pad ice rink? Or did they mean the same year?
Gaz, the canoeing/white water rafting thingy is well underway, how many sports constitute a village though?

Well a sports village to me should really cater for all sports not just 2 or 3. If you look at Newport sports village they have a tennis centre, a leisure centre gym and pool, newport stadium, the velodrome, 2 cricket pitches, a skate park and much more.

I know this is difficult in cardiff as all these places are already built in and around cardiff and would in sense be a huge waste of money, knocking them down just to rebuild them down the bay but long term if they were all in the same place it would open up more opportunities re international competitions bringing more money in than they could ever dream of now. Also it would create room in the city centre and outskirts to build and create new businesses adding to what is already a vibrant growing city.

It's a catch 22 really but just an example of what could be done if the sports village was actually a sports village.

Gaz

 

[Koop11]

If I’m honest, I think a new rink in 2 years is a little ambitious in the current climate. Matt no doubt has a wedge behind him but a development like this, depending on the spec and particularly the size of the new home, will need a lot of backers and money and we all know is hard to invest at the moment. We’re probably talking at least £7-8 million for such a structure.

The encouraging thing to read is that Matt has been awarded the build for the new rink (I haven’t actually heard the Real Radio show). If this is true then it certainly softens the recent blow of losing out on the lease agreement for the tent. This is a sign that the Council and the Devils are still very much committed to the future of the sport and other affiliated ice sports in this region.

I’m assuming the new home will be built on the section of the ISV that was designated for the super casino (the derelict land next to the swimming pool). I think it would be ideal to keep it there as the area will in time grow in stature but admittedly not to the degree the Council first envisaged 4 years ago. I cannot think of any immediate location elsewhere in Cardiff.

 

[Iceraider]

Bit of a joke really, they are in the process of building the canoe slalom, which is by the roundabout by the pool. But you have to realise we also have Toys r us, and Morrisons, which as everyone knows plays a huge part in any INTERNATIONAL SPORTS VILLAGE, dont forget every little helps. Only Wales could do this

Don't forget Wannabe, Morrisons paid for the road and infrastructure around that area. The rink would have been held up even longer if it wasnt for Morrisons.

 

[Hynod]

Could they go down the route of having a rink / casino built in one to soften the finacial blow?

 

[James]

The Casino licence wasn't given to Cardiff in the end. I think the whole idea fell through after that so it's not going anywhere now.

 

[nmase20]

Its fantastic news but as people have said its IF they can manage to get the finances through to build it, which is a big ask. It does show the commitment that Burge is making to the team/sport and i think we should all be very very thankful to get a business man like him on board.

 

[Gwynfor]

i think the idea of a twin pad is great, we should really have one built considering that there are 14 teams playing out of the tent...

 

[Wannabe2]

The sports village has to have snow, water and ice under the original european funding.

 

[Scott]

Good to hear an update about the new rink...

It's difficult to persuade people to take the Devils seriously when they play in a tent. I personally think that's silly, but a lot of potential 'casual' fans think this. I think we'd really get our attendances up in a proper rink.

 

[davel]

We can't even afford an 11th import so how can we pay for two pads?

 

[El Supremo]

This is good news, especially the news that Burge has won the construction contract. This means that when it is built it will be erected from the ground up for the Devils.

 

[Mark666]

...Who decides how big the ice itself is going to be?
Do we want a small pad still (to help keep our home winning form alive?) or do we want a bigger setup so we don't struggle out on bigger rinks?
Does it even matter much?


PS> Your forgetting the sports village hosts the Chav Mini Moto World Cup on summer holidays.

 

[James]

We can't even afford an 11th import so how can we pay for two pads?

Matt mentioned at the season holders evening that he had been working to secure funding. It's a completely different business proposition.

 

[steve]

Its fantastic news but as people have said its IF they can manage to get the finances through to build it, which is a big ask

My understanding is that Matt HAS secured the funding, which is why the deal has been agreed even in this climate. Good news.

 

[Jones72]

Looking forward to the "snow" facility as well as the ice. I think I'd actually move down the bay if that one was built (note to council: 2km indoor slope please, with a separate little slope for learners).

Going back to an earlier post, in fact the Sports Village could be seen to have 4 sports facilities either already in place or in the process of being built...Swimming, the Arena, the Canoe thing...and the Marina.

5 if you count the chav motorsports mentioned.

Actually, I'm sure I've seen people jogging along the waterside path as well...6 sporting groups catered for...maybe we should push for re-designation to "Sports Town" ("City" would be pushing the definition a bit).