A COOL £170,000 is being spent on improvements to Inverclyde’s only ice rink.

The facility at the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Greenock is being given a much-needed overhaul thanks to investment by the council, which owns the building.

New flooring will be laid to replace the existing surface, which has been there since the rink opened nearly 20 years ago, and a modern dehumidifying system is being installed to help improve the quality of the ice.

Both projects will cost in the region of £130,000.

Around £40,000 is also being spent to completely renew the poolside lift, followed by the one at the ice rink.

The Waterfront is operated by Inverclyde Leisure and officials today praised the council for their backing of the facility, which welcomes over 500,000 people each year.

Stuart Boyle, operations manager, said: “It’s a big project and it’s been a few years in the planning.

“Our thanks must go to Inverclyde Council for investing that sort of money, they are helping hugely with the upgrades.”
Work at the rink started on Monday and is expected to last five weeks.

The current ice is being melted, a process which takes a full 
week.

Stuart added: “The dehumidifiers are being taken apart.

“They deal with the environmental conditions around the ice and the better they are, the better the quality of ice.

“That will make a huge difference.

“The flooring is in good condition for its age, but it is 20 years old and it will be replaced right out to the stairs from reception.

“Contractors are in the middle of doing the lifts at the Waterfront, work on the poolside one is currently ongoing.

“The lift at the ice rink is the same age as the one at the pool and the decision was made to replace both of them at the same time so that they are future-proof and last for another 20-25 years.”

Plans are also being drawn up for further improvements at the Waterfront ahead of its birthday milestone later this year.

Stuart said: “Along with the council, we are looking at other high capital investment in it because it will be 20 years old in September.

“We’re looking at all parts of the building.

“Over half a million people come through the doors over the year so it has stood the test of time.”