Those of us who weren’t at last night’s Wightlink Raiders ice hockey play-off final against Invicta Dynamos to hear the news first hand, awoke to confirmation in the media that Ryde ice rink is now in the hands of Ryde Arena Trust (RAT). The trust’s Ian Jenkins said at the match that the rink had been signed over to the trust at 10am on Saturday.

The battle is now for the community to keep the facility not just open, but to turn around its fortunes, something that previous operator Planet Ice has been unable to do.

Fortunately, Ian Jenkins and other RAT members have already gained experience in running the community group that now operates Waterside swimming pool in Ryde. The community must get behind them.

The rink will be closed on Monday 20 April, and reopens on Tuesday 21 April.

Ryde Arena Trust: www.facebook.com/pages/Ryde-Arena-Trust/1026189594062114