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RYDE Arena Community Action Group will look to social investors and funding bodies in a bid to takeover the ice rink.
The Action Group last night (Monday) voted in favour of registering an interest to purchase the lease for the rink, in the hope of seeing it back in the hands of the community.
The community group held a meeting at Ryde Castle Hotel that was attended by members, young skaters and representatives from across the political spectrum.
AEW, the leaseholders of the rink, recently put the lease up for sale for £3.5 million, more than three times the price they originally paid for it.
Campaigners say that is despite the rink now being in a far worse condition than it was when AEW acquired it.
Action group members voted in favour of registering an interest to purchase the lease under the Localism Act, meaning that because the rink has been nominated as an asset of community value, a six month moratorium on the property's sale will be enforced in order for the community to raise the funds necessary to purchase the lease.
The community group will now look at social investment companies and funding bodies to raise the money needed.
They will also request a valuation be carried out on the building, which they believe is worth a fraction of what AEW is asking for.
The group appealed for the support of local politicians and have received statements of support from the Conservatives, Independents, Greens, Labour and Liberal Democrats.
The Conservatives have put forward local member Wayne Whittle, Isle of Wight Council executive member for tourism, business and public realm, to assist the action group and have said they will work cross-party to get the rink back open to the community.
An Island Independents spokesperson said: "Cllr Ian Stephens, through his position of culture, tourism and sport board chairman at the Local Government Association, has arranged a visit for Sport England to visit the Island, and the arena is on the agenda for that visit, at which we will actively seek funding opportunities for the acquisition of the rink."
National Green Party co-leaders, Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley, have visited Ryde arena and given their support to the community group, while Ryde Green Party members are working with them to raise the issue of AEW actions in Parliament.
A Labour spokesperson said: "Ryde Labour is putting forward a Regenerate Ryde platform in the May elections to the County Council, with a commitment to develop a regeneration plan which will aim to improve the quality of life for all Ryde residents.
"Top of the list of actions is the fight to re-open the much-loved ice-rink.
"Labour believe that it is simply not good enough for the council to shirk responsibility for where we are, and to claim to be powerless to act."
A Liberal Democrat spokesperson said: "As Liberal Democrats, we have always supported local groups' actions in fighting for the well-being of the local community.
"We want to work alongside groups such as Ryde Arena Community Action Group to make sure we can achieve the best outcomes for all Islanders.
"Investment is an important part of improving and progressing the Island, but this must be done in the interest of local communities first and as Lib Dems we will support that right."

Isle of Wight County Press on Friday, 24 February 2017


Ryde Arena protest in London

Ryde arena protest in LondonSee full details here: http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/isle-of-wight-skaters-take-ryde-ice-rink-fight-to-london-hq-of-investment-company-97763.aspx

Posted by Isle of Wight County Press on Friday, 24 February 2017