Malta's coolest place

It is a serious disappointment that the coolest place in Malta, and the only ice rink in the Med., will be closed down at the end of August (July 17).

There was mention of a 12-year-old girl crying with the loss of her newly found source of joy and motivation, figure skating - well hers are not the only tears that have been shed over the loss of this great asset.

There are many people in this country who are saddened, from the parents of the children in the SkolaSport ice hockey programme and the children themselves, who came out wearing huge smiles every Saturday morning, to the adults playing ice hockey, representing their countries - Malta, Canada, Latvia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Russia, USA, Slovakia, Germany, Sweden, Austria, to name only a few.

They are the same adults who were volunteering their time to set up and assist with the SkolaSport ice hockey and to establish an association that would provide the vehicle and means to attract sponsorships, grants and support to help the rink and ice activities survive in Malta. It is indeed a greatly underdeveloped opportunity that has now been lost.

I do not think it is because of the reasons given in the article that the ice rink will close. Even if the rink were made safe and profitable it would still be closing. However, it is necessary to show that an ice arena is a great thing for Malta and in the future could be a sustainable resource.

On the cost side, a more efficient and flexible design can reduce costs significantly (note: even with high utility costs, a rink should expect to cost less than Lm100-Lm125 a day to operate). One simple example would be to enclose and insulate just the ice rink surface, to avoid cooling the entire complex (and all of Malta, seeing that the front glass doors do not seal and not to say they are always left open).

The rink can run off a diesel generator during peak load times, to avoid the higher costs of the public utility. The ice surface can also be covered when not used to reduce cooling efforts. Arenas built in Italy and Greece and other warm areas such as California in the US provide many examples of how to construct an economical infrastructure in such a climate. Also, if absolutely necessary, the ice can be removed for some time every year, providing the necessary space for hosting revenue generating conferences, home shows, fairs and parties (however, it should be noted that all these activities can and currently are being held with the ice in place).

In order to get a return on the cost to build the rink (note: average cost of an ice rink is around Lm750,000), plus the daily costs of operations, the original business plan of an ice arena will anticipate these costs and will have to target various levels of support and also look at providing a variety of activities besides recreational skating.

To date, there has been close to zero support attracted from the various possible sources, such as the government (local, national, and international, including the Ministry of Sport; note that "pigeon racing" and darts received more financial support than any ice sports), corporate support and sponsorships, athletic companies for equipment donations, associations in other countries and even the public.

For example, someone locally could be contracted to provide "ice-walkers", simple metal frames that glide on the ice and provide a crutch for novice ice skaters. Yes, ice skating is dangerous, and such a simple device would have reduced several injuries.

Also, had the public been approached, people (including myself) would have been more than happy to volunteer time on the ice showing beginners how to skate in a fun, safe manner.

But in order to attract the necessary support, there are certain things that are required first. I will provide the example of ice hockey, being closest to it. For this, an association is required; it provides the legal entity that can attract all forms of support. Not only financial support from organisations such as the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation), but volunteer support, educational support, even celebrity support (we have been in contact with the famous Maltese professional ice hockey player who played in the NHL in North America). What better person to promote the sport to the local population and be a role model for what can be achieved?

To sustain activity levels at an ice arena, a multitude of revenue generating programmes need to be offered. Not just recreational skating, but youth ice hockey leagues, adult women's and men's hockey leagues, men's and women's figure skating, and the associated training camps that go along with all these programmes. International tournaments and exchanges can be organised - for example, we have found much support for women's ice hockey in Malta, which is a sport rapidly growing in popularity around the world; exchanges could be organised with contacts in for example Canada to invite women's teams to come to Malta and play.

All such events at the rink will attract spectators who generate ticket revenue and food/beverage sales, plus the sale of merchandise of the different clubs which the rink could offer. International hockey and figure skating schools can be established, attracting families here from all over the globe to stay in Malta for a week or more.

Their children go into boarding for the week where they meet new friends, and during the day they have several sessions of training and games organised on the ice, accompanied by off-ice education and fun activities in the evening (going to the movies, bowling etc.). Such programmes are huge successes in North America and other parts of the world. All these activities benefit the surrounding area and Malta as a whole in attracting new visitors to stay in hotels and spending in restaurants, hotels, shops etc.

It is true that ice sports are not a part of the local culture. So let us make it a part. Children (and adults) need more ways to exercise, and safe, fun sporting activities that keep them away from alcohol, drugs, smoking and clubs. An ice arena can provide a fun, safe and educational environment that teaches valuable life skills - teamwork, leadership, determination, and discipline. It is a great place to make new friends and experience something new. And let's face it, if we cannot make the coolest place in Malta survive, (especially when we are having the hottest weather on record) then there is something wrong!