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Plea to make ice rink listed building

6:00am Saturday 4th August 2007

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Moves are afoot to register Oxford ice rink as a listed building in a bid to save it from the bulldozers.

Oxford City Council wants to knock down the 1980s concrete structure in Oxpens Road to help pay for a multi-million pound "super leisure centre" on the edge of the city.

But last night, Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society said it would lobby English Heritage to have the building listed. It comes after Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, president of the Royal Academy and the man who designed the rink, urged planners not to knock it down.

A Save Oxford Ice Rink campaign group has also been formed. David Clark, chairman of Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society said: "The society believes it is the best and most innovative modern building in Oxford and fully deserves to be listed for its design and technological innovation.

"It is also a highly fitting structure for its site - near the river with a ship-like presence."

But city leisure chiefs said the rink - known as 'Cutty Sark' because it was designed to look like a tall ship when it opened in 1984 - is past its sell-by date.

The plan is to demolish the facility, as well as Temple Cowley Pool, to finance a £20m leisure centre featuring flumes, wave machine and a skate park at a location yet to be finalised. Sir Nicholas's said he was "very upset" to hear his building could be lost to the wrecking ball.

He added: "The answer would be to build a leisure pool next to the Ice Rink to make use of the waste heat generated by the cooling plant."

Listing a building ensures the architectural and historic interests of the structure are considered before any alterations are made. Last month city councillors agreed a £350,000 repair package to keep the ice rink and Temple Cowley Pool open for the foreseeable future. Graham Jones, chairman of Rescue Oxford and a city councillor at the time the ice rink was approved, said: "In many ways it is iconic because Oxpens Road is fairly tedious."

Michael Talbot, historian and archivist for Oxford University Ice Hockey Club, said: "Councils seem to be very good at tearing things down but less good at stumping up the cash and commitment for new facilities.

"For various reasons, councils in Southampton and Brighton promised new ice rinks when closing their existing ones - but all failed to deliver."

WHAT YOU THINK...Oxford Ice Rink - Eyesore or Icon?

Charmaine Austin, 26, of Iffley Road, said: "I do not think it's an eyesore, I like it. I've been going there since I was a kid, so to me it's definitely an icon."

Adele Cavey, 13, of Kidlington, said: "I do not think they should knock it down, everyone likes it. I do not think it's ugly or an eyesore."

Kristen Jones, 30, of North Oxford, said: "It is certainly an interesting building... I wouldn't say it's 'iconic', but I think having an ice rink in the centre of town is probably an asset to the community."

Josh Whidborne, 17, of Wheatley, said: "I think it would be a waste if they knocked it down. But it's all about the skating for me. It doesn't matter what the building looks like, as long as we have somewhere to skate."

Katie Richardson, 12, of Wolvercote, said: "I don't think it matters if it's an eyesore or not, it's superficial to care about what the building looks like, it's all about the facilities and they are very good."

Paul Hayday, 27, of Summertown, said: "It is a bit of an eyesore, isn't it?! I think it definitely needs refurbishing of some kind, it's not very impressive. So perhaps knocking it down and building some new facilities is a good idea."


Your Say YourOxford Mail

Bob, says...
8:55am Sat 4 Aug 07

This eysore should be replaced in a location that people can get to with good transport links and good parking and safe walking.
Build a new swimming pool next to it to make use of the waste heat.
But in light of recent experiences do not build on a flood plain

Sarah, Oxford says...
9:25am Sat 4 Aug 07

You have got to be joking! The ice skating rink is an aweful piece of design. This is just another case of people resisting change.

leona, oxford says...
9:32am Sat 4 Aug 07

i agree , they should get rid of the ice rink. i think its a great idea building an ice rink and swimming pool in one , its a about time some of oxford's facilities were modernised! lets just hope they dnt charge the earth to go in!!

leona, oxford says...
9:33am Sat 4 Aug 07

i agree , they should get rid of the ice rink. i think its a great idea building an ice rink and swimming pool in one , its a about time some of oxford's facilities were modernised! lets just hope they dnt charge the earth to go in!!

Kit, Oxford says...
9:40am Sat 4 Aug 07

If they want to build a new leisure centre they should make sure they don't cut corners and build a substandard building like the current ice rink - it's ridiculous that such an expensive facility looks so dilapidated after only 20-odd years of service.

Darren, oxford says...
9:48am Sat 4 Aug 07

I remember when the ice rink opened in the 80's and all the kids from our school went. I think it would be a shame to see it pulled down as it is something that is representative of the 80's. It might not seem like much now but this building is a good candidate to preserve as part of our history. What happens if we pull down everything just becuase it is not that old then what will future generations see as an example of our lives ?

Rose, oxford says...
10:32am Sat 4 Aug 07

the current ice rink is ugly building.I think it should be pull down. But where the new one is a bit out of reach for most people who use public transport. And the current ice rink got nothing that make it a listed building, unlike some of the buildings in the city.
And what next, elms parade in botley put forward as a listed building. So demolish it oxford city council.

Big L Climber, South Coast says...
10:34am Sat 4 Aug 07

quote
Don't pull it down. The kids love it.

Karen, oxford says...
11:55am Sat 4 Aug 07

Why not keep the existing building until a new ice rink/pool complex is built then redevelop the site for commercial use-a music venue/conference centre would be good as there is no where suitable in Oxford for bands to play. Site the new rink/pool between kidlington and Oxford at the park and ride so both areas can benefit and share the cost with Cherwell CC. There is very little for teenagers on the northside of Oxford.

Madge, Oxford says...
5:07pm Sat 4 Aug 07

Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society


Grow up. Its a building. It has no historical interest and it is bloody ugly to look at. If it means Oxford City Council will stick to their word, which I doubt, and build a better sports complex then tear it down.

These idiots saying it should be saved will be demanding Jean Fooks is made a saint next.

Oi, Oxford says...
5:26pm Sat 4 Aug 07

Your right Madge, its ugly. its made of steel, and is vile to look at. blow it up now!!!!

Kevin, Kuala Lumpur says...
7:09pm Sat 4 Aug 07

Yes pull it down, then OCC can sell the land to developers to build more student accommodation! just what local people want, and sure OCC will make a few bob on the side!

Robert Warner, Henley-on-Thames says...
7:11pm Sat 4 Aug 07

Knock the darn thing down NOW! It was ugly when it went up, time has not beautified it, and the wretched thing has been a complete and utter waste of money from start to finish. It is Oxford's equivalent of The Dome.

Phil Gale, Oxford says...
7:30pm Sat 4 Aug 07

It's not a beautiful or terribly important building, is it? I'm sorry if the architect is upset at having his work knocked down ... but that goes with the territory.

As regards whether a new rink should be in Oxpens, or Cowley, or North Oxford -- that's a matter for the people of Oxford to decide. Having the Council's hands tied by making it a listed building would be in no one's best interest.

Pete, Witney says...
8:29am Sun 5 Aug 07

Hardly Oxford's equivalent of the Dome! It's been consistently used for over 20 years by a large number of groups, individuals and clubs. There's currently a years waiting list for lessons.

Don't be fooled into thinking an out of town facility would increase use, the main user group is children aged 10-16, who can all get there on their own via public transport very easily. The building is in much better condition than other ice rinks but is apparently "crumbling" according to the Oxford Mail, who continue to quote a KPMG audit report that found faults with council procedures such as contract tendering - nothing specifically to do with the ice rink. The building could do with general refurbishment in most aras and the refrigeration plant might need some work within the next few years, but compared with spending £20m on a new facility, this would be a drop in the ocean.

I don't think the building is likely to be listed, this is surely an attempt to keep it at oxpens, by opponents of any proposed move.

jim, Devon says...
8:43am Sun 5 Aug 07

23 years old and past its sell by date! I don't remember mention of it's temporary nature when it was built. Perhaps the one lesson to be learned is, from here on in, to have nothing to do with anyone involved in the original planning,design and building of such a short lived building. Certainly Grimshaw's opinions should be disregarded!

DG, Oxford says...
2:25pm Sun 5 Aug 07

Someone has got to be having a laugh! The thing is a bloody eyesore. How the hell it was ever allowed to be built in a beautiful city like Oxford in the first place is just beyond me. What foreign visitors must make of it when they get off their coaches next door God only knows!
Surely they could replace it with a much less offensive looking building, one without the towers at either end. It's a pity it can't burn down like the other Cutty Sark.
Get rid of it NOW!!!!

Chris, Oxford says...
2:46pm Sun 5 Aug 07

Does this mr Grimshaw live in Oxford? I doubt that if he did and had to look at the awful thing every day he would be so keen for it to stay put. It was horrible when it was built, it's got worse with age and the city would be better off without it.
The new leisure centre would be a vast improvement over Oxfords existing facilities and I am all for it.
It's a shame these architects can't accept their past mistakes and stop wallowing in nostalgia; the thing is (to quote Prince Charles) a 'monstrous carbuncle' and should go.

John, Oxford says...
3:50pm Sun 5 Aug 07

i think they should replace it with simular thing like david lloyd leisure which is a nice design and more modern.

C, says...
5:07pm Sun 5 Aug 07

It's a shame they didn't choose to re-use the old ice rink in Botley road when they built the Oxpens one; instead the wonderful old art deco building was demolished so MFI could build that awful grey slab that's there now.
OCC should have saved it and returned it to it's former use, it was a building more worthy of preservation than the new ice rink.

Dave, Witney says...
3:08pm Mon 6 Aug 07

An ice rink in Oxford is essential. The current rink is out of date and in need of significant improvements. It is an ideal opportunity for OCC to build a new leisure facility that will benefit everyone from Oxford and beyond. If they build a decent facility then it can host national and international events which will help pay for the initial investment. I would like to see a double pad rink similar to Ice Sheffield which will increase the flexibility of the facility!

Keith R Mitchell, County Hall, Oxford says...
9:12am Tue 7 Aug 07

The Ice Rink is a total eye sore in an area of eye sores. It needs to be demolished. A replacement might well be a multi-use facility combining an ice rink with other attractions? Oxford deserves a better West End.

D, Abingdon says...
4:14pm Thu 16 Aug 07

For those of you that have not travelled the icve rinks of the country, this is one of the better rinks. Its facilities, although not the best are adequate for its purpose.
The location is ideal for parents who let their kids go skating as it is near the busses and the trains. There is no way that you can knock down a building for the way it looks, if it still serves its purpose who cares what it looks like, at least it works. I think it would be a waste of time and money knocking it down and will probably create more problems for the council than they will expect.

Tori Oliver, says...
7:19pm Sun 4 May 08

if You Knock this down its going to make kids do bad things oxford ice rink was a good space to keep kids out of trouble and off the streets and have fun also they get good exersise what is the point look how many people go there there is actully no need to knock it down becuase if you think its scruffy why dont you clean it !

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