As well as having a reputation for churning out some of the UK’s most talented ice hockey players, Durham Ice Rink boasted a highly successful ice skating club that was equally as devastated when the building closed for good 12 years ago. We spoke to three Durham-based figure-skaters about what a new rink in Durham would mean to them.

Rachel Warren, a primary-school teacher, has been skating since the age of 15 –shortly before the closure of the old Riverside Rink. In 2006, she decided to dig out her skates again and began training once again at Billingham Forum.

“It’s not ideal as it’s a 52 mile round trip, which isn’t great taking into account the price of petrol earlier this year and the fact that I am visiting the rink at least three times a week. I’m also skating at Whitley Bay once a week (again about 52 mile round trip!) and it takes between 35 and 50 minutes to get there aswell. Through this though I have been able to meet so many lovely people so I guess it worked out quite well.” Rachel told us.

“When I found out Durham may be getting a new rink it was great, it means I’ll be able to skate much more frequently, and if it were to follow most other rinks and have an early morning session for figure skating it would mean I could train on quieter ice before going to work instead of limiting myself to busy public sessions.

As a teacher the only times I can skate are when the children are out of school and during the winter months it makes it hard to practise anything safely. Having a rink so close to home and place of work means that I could hopefully get more practise in.

It would also be great to see the children I teach there. Most 4 year-olds don’t believe that a teacher can ice skate, and many have said they would like to try it, but the rinks are too far away for them. A rink on their doorstep makes it much more possible for them and it would be lovely to see them there occasionally.”

Alex Wall first skated when she was 9 and on holiday in Plymouth. 

“At the time I didnt really have a great interest in skating so never got to try the Durham Rink and when I did get interested I had to wait until passing my driving test in 2003 to give me the freedom to travel to Billingham for lessons. Having the rink back in Durham would mean so much to so many people as well as myself. I know i will be able to afford lessons as it would only be a 20 mile round trip, saving on petrol and time.” 

Lisa Brewin (pictured above) first look to the ice in Durham as a youngster, and despite the set-back of Durham’s closure shortly afterwards, she is now a professional skater for the world’s largest touring live-entertainment production Holiday on Ice. Lisa has been on the professional circuit for over 5 years now, and has starred in a number of shows around the world. She is currently rehearsing for a new production in Holland called Energia. Lisa told us how the rink’s in 1996 closure affected her:

“I was just starting secondary school when our rink was closed and I was devastated. I had such dreams of training in the morning and afternoon sessions walking to and from school.
Thankfully I still made it into shows, my dream career but it wasn’t easy, something I definitely could not have done without the sacrifces and time my parents also put in. I was lucky in a sense that there were other rinks to go such as Sunderland – which has also sadly closed – and Billingham but it was never the same feeling as having your own skating club in your own city. ”

Though she is often a long way from home these days, Lisa is also very excited about plans to bring ice back to Durham once again:

“The news of another rink in Durham City is fantastic and maybe in the future there could be a job for me there coaching or choreographing! Figure Skating and Hockey are both such wonderful sports. It takes patience, strength and skill to become a skater something that has endless possibilities. Its a sport that can really excite kids and you can enjoy at all ages. Im so happy others will now have the oppounity to skate and share the love of the sport that I and many others have.”