The Isle of Wight Council Planning Committee is set to meet on 17th December to decide on whether or not to grant permission for the building of a multi-sports centre and ice rink behind Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde.
Locals are being urged to write to councillors ahead of the meeting to express their support for the project, which is being spearheaded by local resident Zyrieda. A collaborative group are behind the proposals including Ryde Arena Community Action Group (RACAG), Ryde School, the Isle of Wight Council and its Regeneration Team, and other sports clubs.
The proposed facilities will include tennis courts, multi-use courts for basketball, netball, badminton and padel tennis, a large climbing wall, trampolining, indoor football, a café/bar, as well as a children’s activity centre and an ice rink – all under cover.
Receiving planning permission is just the first hurdle – funding is dependent on raising funds and applying for various funding grants including from the likes of Sport England.
There was initial suggestion back in June that the centre could open within just 12 months.
More information can be found at https://silc-iow.org.
Agree with the proposal, just not at Smallbrook. This site is difficult to access for bus, cycle, walk and drive.
The Esplanade is the correct location for an ice rink.
For the cost of sorting Smallbrook out the council could buy AEW out of their lease and build in the right location.
Smallbrook has been a sports centre ever since Ryde Harriers started a track there, if my aged memory serves me well. There is not the room at Ryde Esplanade for the sort of complex envisioned for Smallbrook.Develop Smallbrook and let AEW sit with a white elephant and serves them right for being greedy. I am also sure that if there is the demand for a bus link then Southern Vectis would sort something out. The Haylands buses could always extend their route.
There’s enough room on the existing site for an ice rink that could host an Ice Hockey team. This is proven.
A new facility could be larger, on the same site.
Why does the Island need an Olympic sized facility, when there really isn’t the requirement?
I’m only talking about the ice rink, as other sporting facilities that are planned for this development already exist on the island.
Central Ryde needs this, and building on yet more green space with little or no access for those without cars is ridiculous.
Common sense needs to prevail.
How do you mean, its difficult to access? There is a bus stop 5 minutes walk away, and I am sure the bus transport will sort something out. It is the ideal place. On the esplanade isn’t the right place, this needs to be something for holiday people because they bring in money. Come on be a bit more positive.
It’s a shame to build on fields, just because of a lousy contract with a property venture capitalist.
I was a young person in Ryde 20 years ago. The Ice Rink was a great place to meet at the weekend.
If they move it to Smallbrook the young people will suffer.
The whole areas is going to be ruined by housing now. IF there is cash for the council, then ‘it’ will go through. A brown envelope can be far more ‘acceptable’ than a Christmas card to those who care more for such than the beauty of nature and green spaces for us to live and breathe.
What do you mean by ruined? What are we ruining? It is bringing the area to life. It will come alive.
How do they propose people get to this area if they don’t have transport?
Not a good location. How are youngsters going to get there and what will be built on the Esplanade ice rink? Another council cockup. The harbour will be another.
Build underground car park in canoe lake, have shopping mall on ground floor sports facilities
And pleasure on top, with an array of retail and food beverage outlets. Add a few houses/ flats at one end to finance project, with rental income from retail. Small hotel, ballroom/ live music/ concert venue for say 1000 plus for viability!Simples self financing, with income stream back into coffers. Land is free!!!! Save wasting fortunes on harbour and town hall both a disaster!
We hear people complain its ruining things, ruining the country side? The area is already built on, and its nothing but rubble and rubbish. It is an exciting thing, and it will bring so much joy to residents on the island, given that there are going to be more housing and the population is only going to increase, this leisure centre is the golden standard and in the perfect place for East Wight which there is literally nothing to do, activity and sports wise indoors and its close to the train station, the buses can add more routes to enable residents to get the centre. The sea front/ esplanade needs to be reserved for the holiday makers/ tourist as they bring money in, so it needs something for them to do and enjoy, i.e. ten pin bowling with views of the sea or even an arcade also, its not the easiest places to get to when majority of the residents use cars. How can you turn down tennis courts, multi-use courts for basketball, netball, badminton and padel tennis, a large climbing wall, trampolines, indoor football, a café/bar, as well as a children’s activity centre and an ice rink – all under cover. I often wonder if its because you guys are so depressed and so anti regeneration that you oppose this for the sake of opposing and keeping up the misery. Let us face it, Smallbrook is dead, if not dying. It is an eyesore right now, this new leisure centre will be life saver and beautiful, something for IOW to be proud of. Come on, think of the kids.
I also, think that this should be put to the IOW residents to vote, yes or no for the new centre. Not sure if this should be limited to the committee. Isn’t the centre for the residents anyway? Let us vote.
I vote yes for the multi sports stadium
Actually, had an idea. The old ice rink on the sea front, why not make this into a fabulous pool hall with a couple of snooker tables. I think this would go down really well.
I think this sports centre and ice rink would be Really beneficial to the residents of the Island. It would encourage people to meet up and enjoy taking part in sports activities as well as watching and supporting the Island teams. Southern vectis would soon set up a bus service if this complex is approved and with ample parking people can car share When the housing development starts at westridge the sports centre would be a great partnership for locals and Islanders willing to travel like they always have been. I really hope the planning aplication is approved