People of all ages are being invited to get their skates on and get down to the Market Square from Tuesday, 19 January when a synthetic ice rink will be constructed for six days of free skating fun.
The 13 x 26 metre rink will be open between 10am and 5pm on Tuesday, 19 January to Sunday, 24 January except on Friday, 22 when people can skate right through to the evening until 8pm. The atmosphere on the Market Square will be anything but icy - music, a snow machine and special evening lights will add to the mood, making it the coolest hang out in Northampton.
Last year young people flocked to use the rink as soon as school broke up for the Christmas holidays - over 1,500 people of all ages used the rink over three days. Lots of young people asked for an ice rink again for this winter so Northampton Youth Forum made the young people's wishes come true by awarding funding from Money 4 Youth to the NBC Market Square Events team to bring the rink to town for six days.
Cllr Paul Varnsverry, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said: “The ice rink provides an exciting atmosphere and a safe environment for all ages to enjoy skating. Last year, teenagers particularly enjoyed the music and snow machine whilst learning to skate and everyone appreciated that it was completely free of charge. Although we currently have lots of icy weather, this free six day event is going to be chance for everyone to hone their ice skating skills with the safety of a barrier to hold on to.”
Sinead Loftus, Co-Chair of Northampton Youth Forum and student at Northampton School for Girls, said "We've granted funding for an ice rink each year for a few years now. Every year, at the ice ink there's been a great atmosphere with people of all ages having fun together. This shows that it's good for young people to send in their ideas to Money 4 Youth so that we can make good stuff happen for everyone! There's still time for young people to send in their ideas for summer 2010 to spring 2011 so if they've not done so already I'd say to them to get their ideas in to us by 12th February 2010 in case we can make their wishes come true too."
Skating is suitable for anyone but children under 10 should be supervised by an adult. Ice skates will be provided to anyone wanting to use the facility. The maximum number of skaters allowed on the rink at one time will be approximately 130 and at busy periods there will be a maximum skating time.
Information about Money 4 Youth can be found at www.northampton.gov.uk/money4youth and for Market Square Events visit www.marketsquareevents.com
Free ice skating for all!
