Over the years, Keep Sussex Skating (KSS) has targeted the Black Rock site in Brighton for skaters.

Skaters regard the two-acre site due for redevelopment as the last viable chance for our long-awaited new ice arena.

In the Nineties, we campaigned for ice and roller sports to be included on Brighton and Hove City Council's planning brief.

Since then, strategy and drawings plus adamant community support have set us on course. Developers' schemes for Black Rock were unveiled and three short-listed by the council.

Two projects are for full-sized ice arenas. Each scheme would provide two ice rinks for the city, an events-ice area and a public-sports training rink.

KSS welcomes the chance for a new prototype, our community appeal is poised and we are delighted to see the innovation and chances of new sports arenas emerging.

Are we about to see the council turn the tide, to yet further the profile of our sporting city? Both skaters and surfers of the community united? Awesome! We urge the council to get its skates on.

-Patricia Ginman, Keep Sussex Skating Association, Brighton