ITV1’s Dancing on Ice star Michael Zenezini and professional figure skater Lina Szakal dazzled guests when they officially opened Bournemouth town centre’s first-ever outdoor ice rink on December 4.
To open the Christmas season attraction, Michael and Lina took to the real ice rink to perform a three minute festive opening routine, with impressive jumps and twists, in front of a VIP audience.
Commissioned by the Bournemouth Town Centre BID company with support from Bournemouth Borough Council, and operated by BH Live, the ice rink is located under the trees in the town’s Grade-II Lower Gardens and has a capacity of 100 skaters at a time. Skaters of all abilities have the opportunity to take to the ice until January 6 2012.
The ice rink is the perfect destination for a festive experience and features a café, serving tasty hot chocolate and a range of warming drinks.
Tony Brown, chairman of chairman of the Town Centre BID Board and chief executive of Beales, said: “We are thrilled to have made the ice rink one of our essential attractions for Christmas 2012 and wish to thank Michael and Lina for such a memorable routine. Everyone is welcome to make the most of this attraction and experience an exhilarating skate under the stars. We hope shoppers take a moment while gliding through the town centre stores this festive season to glide the ice as well.”
Cllr Rod Cooper, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture from Bournemouth Borough Council said: “This is a fantastic addition to Bournemouth’s Christmas attractions. I hope that our residents and visitors take the time to enjoy the rink whilst finishing their Christmas shopping.”
Peter Gunn, BH Live chief executive added: “BH Live is proud to be operating the town’s latest leisure attraction. In addition to the indoor RAWK Ice Rink at the Bournemouth International Centre which opens next week and an exciting theatre and show programme at the Bournemouth Pavilion, the new outdoor ice rink gives the town an extra festive sparkle and provides local residents and visitors to the town centre with so much more to do.”
Priced at £8.50 per adult and £7.50 per child (age four to 16), tickets can be purchased in advance from www.makeitbournemouth.co.uk/icerink or by calling BH Live Tickets on 0844 5763000.
Open every day, except Christmas Day. Ice skates will be available on site. Each session runs for one hour and ticket holders should arrive 15 minutes before the booked skate time to allow for boot fitting.
Opening of Bournemouth's outdoor ice rink - Professional skater Michael Zenezini, Peter Gunn of BH Live, Tony Brown of Bournemouth's BID and professional skater Lina Szakal