Shimla to get all-weather ice skating rink

Shimla, July 19

Tourists as well as locals will soon be able to enjoy ice skating in the state capital throughout the year instead of three months, as a state-of-the-art ice skating rink-cum-roller skating rink will be built here at a cost of Rs 42 crore.

Tenders for the project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have been invited and the last date for the submission is August 8.

The construction work would be divided into two parts — civil and technical.

Charing a meeting held with officials of Shimla Ice Skating Club yesterday, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said the all-weather rink will be built by using the state-of-the-art technology.

The DC also appealed to the club members to make efforts to promote other activities, besides ice hockey, at the rink. He said the rink held significance from the tourism point of view and plantation would also be done around the club.

“The rink will have a refrigeration plant so that visitors and locals can enjoy ice skating throughout the year. It will have changing rooms and a restaurant, besides other facilities. There is proposal to provide skating facilities as per the international standards, including an alarm system, a conference hall, besides a surveillance system,” he said.

“As schools and colleges in Shimla have holidays in January, parents can bring their children here for skating,” the DC said. He added that youths also come here in a large number to enjoy skating and ice hockey. “Basic training is also provided to players who are interested in ice hockey, besides competitions are organised,” the DC said.

“This is the country’s first open-air skating rink, where ice freezes naturally. The new rink will provide the state’s ice hockey players the facility to practice throughout the year, which will greatly improve their game,” he said.

Set up in 1920, it is one of the oldest open air rinks in Asia. Earlier, there used to be a tennis court here, which was converted into an ice skating rink due to snow in winters. Since then it has been used as a rink in the winter.

In 1965, President of Yugoslavia Marshal Tito came here and an ice-hockey competition was held to mark his visit. He awarded the winners with the Marshal Tito Trophy. A trophy by the same name is awarded to the winners here till date.