After years without ice, Durham can finally get its skates on with the opening of the city’s temporary ice rink later on today.

The 2,700sq metre rink will be officially opened by Mayor of Durham, Dennis Southwell at 3pm this afternoon, with the inaugural skating session taking place at 5pm. Public interest has been high in the build-up to the rink’s opening, with over 650 people signing up to the ice rink’s ‘Fan’ page in ten days and the rink’s operators are expecting a busy opening weekend.

The real-ice ice rink, situated in the shadow of the former Riverside Rink will be an apt setting for many locals who both skated and followed Durham Wasps up until the building’s closure in the 1990s. The rink will be open every day until the end of March from 9am til 10pm, and also boasts it’s own Crystal Café serving food and hot drinks overlooking the ice.

Ticket prices are £7.50 for adults and £5.50 for children and concessions. For further information, please visit the Durham Winter Ice Rink’s website.