GET your skates on because the Huddersfield ice rink is coming back!
Councillors decided yesterday to bring back the town centre Christmas attraction for the next three years.
The open-air rink will be set up at the Piazza from December 4 to January 4.
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet yesterday finalised plans for Huddersfield On Ice 2008.
Cabinet member Clr Donald Firth welcomed the move.
He said: “The ice rink has worked very, very well since it started in 2006. I think it’s one of the best things we’ve ever brought to Huddersfield.
“I’m glad to say we have the money to take this through until 2010.”
Last year the rink provided jobs for 30 young people.
Cabinet member Clr Margaret Bates said: “One of the good things about the rink is that it provides seasonal work for young people.”
This year the rink will be powered by green electricity rather than diesel.
Clr Andrew Cooper, who leads the Green Party group on Kirklees, welcomed the change.
He said: “It’s good to see that the rink is going to be zero- carbon this year.”
Kirklees hopes to take in £44,000 in ticket sales this year.
During the opening week there will be the added attraction of bumper cars.
Eight schools from Huddersfield, Cleckheaton, Emley, Scissett and Liversedge visited the rink last year.
This year 12 mornings have been set aside for school visits.
There will also be three special evening events to attract late-night shoppers.
There will be a special machine to improve the ice quality and a skate sharpener to improve the quality of hired skates.
The rink will be sponsored by Pennine FM.
