Chichester: Fury over decision not to bring back ice rink

Chichester District Council hoped to return an ice rink to Priory Park for Christmas, which was last situated there in 2018, after including it in its project proposals for the year.

However, the council announced the festive addition, which welcomed over 19,000 skaters, was not feasible due to “costs”.

Now, residents have voiced their frustration and disappointment over the decision, directing their anger towards people who objected to the ice rink during its short stay in the city.

Chichester Anti-Recreation Partnership, a satirical social media profile set up “to add more fun to Chichester, highlight local absurdities and to call for more focus on the younger residents of the city”, has even erected a sign in the park to commemorate the loss.

A sign has been set up in the park commemorating the loss for another year (Image: Chichester Anti-Recreation Partnership)

It reads: “Priory Park Ice Rink 2018, gone but not forgotten (by anyone under 70). A rare joy, frozen out by a few.

“Still missed by the young, vetoed by the grumpy.”

Concerns regarding the potential return of the rink were brought to councillors in a cabinet meeting on January 9, when Reverend Canon Bruce Ruddock said it was “seriously problematic” and “left deep wounds” for the community near the park, calling for consideration of other locations.

During the rink’s run, the council received complaints from nine residents, totalling 40.

A spokesman for the Chichester Anti-Recreation Partnership said: “My frustration lies with those who are stifling opportunities for young people in Chichester.

READ MORE: Winter fair returns with wreath workshops and Santa’s Grotto

“There isn't much available for them as it is, and losing such a valuable, fun, community-building event like the ice rink for yet another year is incredibly disheartening.

“It's especially frustrating when it's due to complaints from people who knowingly bought homes next to the city’s main park, only to then object to it being used for the community.

“This benefits no one."

One commenter said: “Chichester council at its best. No wonder Chichester is dying and many young people are leaving.

“It was only for a short while so people of all ages could enjoy it. No trouble, just fun, limited evening hours.

“Chichester needs to embrace the new and the old. Other places have combined the two and grown.”

Meanwhile, another commenter acknowledged the disruption caused by the installation, writing: “I don’t live in that area but the nearby residents had to put up with noise of people and generators in what should be a quiet park.

“The rink took up a large chunk of the park and I recall the grass did not grow back until about June.

“There must be somewhere better to put it like Oaklands park because of all these lives ruined (sarcasm) by it not being there.”

CHICE, the organisation responsible for the 2018 rink, reposted an image of the sign.

It said: “This was not our creation, but we’d like to meet whoever made it.

“Remember, while Chichester doesn’t have an ice rink this Christmas, we are operating in Portsmouth where festive cheer, family fun and Christmas joy for all is encouraged.”