"Dundalk Square on ice"

10green bottles

Seen people working on this evening.Seems to be pretty small although the press relaese says that 120 can be on ice at any one time.

it was confirmed that a huge ice rink will be open to the public from 30th November to 6th January.

The rink will surround the colourful fountain in the heart of the Square, known as a track ice rink. The event is being promoted by Profile Music Group and co-ordinated by the Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Management and the Dundalk Town Council. Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat about the ambitious project, Dundalk Town Centre Commercial Manager Andrew Mawhinney said “It’s great to see that the plan will go ahead. “Nine months of hard work has been involved. There will be a great buzz around Dundalk during this Christmas period,” he explained. “We anticipate in excess of 15,000 people to visit the ice rink. This is a substantial footfall in Dundalk’s town centre. We are currently working with retailers to ensure that they benefit from this additional footfall via a number of initiatives and promotions.” He added that the council will also give two hours parking for the price of one. “Local businesses will also be offering special discount vouchers to their customers and there will be Christmas gift tokens for the ice rink on sale soon,” he explained. “We are also planning to advertise with UTV and get more people into the town. There is a great tradition of ice skating, hockey and figure skating in Dundalk. Hundreds of skaters in Dundalk have skates in the attic, so we want them to come out also.”Construction on the ice rink will start this week and will hold 120 skaters at any one time.
The rink will have 24-hour security.

http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/local/get-your-skates-on-dundalk-it-s-official-dundalk-square-on-ice-is-coming-to-town-1-4501841

Waitsian

"There is a great tradition of ice skating, hockey and figure skating in Dundalk."

Oh really?

Dundalk, Maryland?

Waitsian

Speaking of skating, I hear DKIT have purchased and intend to re-open the Dome. Anyone else hear anything along these lines?

10green bottles

Theres a big soccer tradition in Dundalk but Oriel Park isn't packed week in week out! I think the TCM have got this decision spot on.

mod9maple

mod9maple wrote: »

Speaking of skating, I hear DKIT have purchased and intend to re-open the Dome. Anyone else hear anything along these lines?

DKIT and The Louth County Board have formed an alliance to build a new county GAA stadium beside the Dundalk Retail Park on the JJB and Dome grounds. I know DKIT were looking to buy JJB.
The new ground will hold 12,000, including a 4,000 seater stand and the land beside KFC that's boarded off that was going to be the new cinema could become the carpark for the stadium.

Slashman X

DkIT purchased the JJB last week from what I hear

Waitsian

Slashman X wrote: »

DkIT purchased the JJB last week from what I hear

That's what I heard, including the rink. When I asked what they would do with the rink building ie was it fit for any other purpose once converted, I was told they were keeping it as a rink.

Waitsian

hellboy99 wrote: »

DKIT and The Louth County Board have formed an alliance to build a new county GAA stadium beside the Dundalk Retail Park on the JJB and Dome grounds.

Oh wait a minute, I just re-read this. Meaning they are going to knock down the existing buildings?

And OP I think the rink at the square is a grand idea, sure why not? It'll be great for children especially, and adds to the atmosphere and obviously hopes to increase footfall for Xmas trading.

PinkFly

mod9maple wrote: »

Oh wait a minute, I just re-read this. Meaning they are going to knock down the existing buildings?

And OP I think the rink at the square is a grand idea, sure why not? It'll be great for children especially, and adds to the atmosphere and obviously hopes to increase footfall for Xmas trading.

and some of the proceeds are going to SOSAD, great cause

shindig-jp

Is the Ice Track SYNTHETIC ICE ?

Waitsian

shindig-jp wrote: »

Is the Ice Track SYNTHETIC ICE ?

Given it's location, most definitely.

Slashman X

mod9maple wrote: »

That's what I heard, including the rink. When I asked what they would do with the rink building ie was it fit for any other purpose once converted, I was told they were keeping it as a rink.

At the graduation ceremonies, it was said that the JJB would be used as a venue for events, conferences as well as hosting the sports teams etc

shindig-jp

Slashman X wrote: »

At the graduation ceremonies, it was said that the JJB would be used as a venue for events, conferences as well as hosting the sports teams etc

Let it be said that JJB will not be hosting any events , conferences or sports teams on the Ice track at Dundalk Square.

Fraggle00

mod9maple wrote: »

Given it's location, most definitely.

I had a look at the work there the other day. They have what looks to be a large chiller unit and they are installing lots of blue pipe under where the track will run. Does this not mean that they will be making real ice and keeping it frozen using the chiller? I thought synthetic ice used polymers and oily liquid to work or am I misunderstanding things?

Dunny

That square didnt need the ice to slide across it! Death trap

tayto lover

mod9maple wrote: »

"There is a great tradition of ice skating, hockey and figure skating in Dundalk."

Oh really?

Dundalk, Maryland?

And Baseball (well many have the bats anyway)

shindig-jp

Fraggle00 wrote: »

I had a look at the work there the other day. They have what looks to be a large chiller unit and they are installing lots of blue pipe under where the track will run. Does this not mean that they will be making real ice and keeping it frozen using the chiller? I thought synthetic ice used polymers and oily liquid to work or am I misunderstanding things?

Here's the skinny , Track will be frozen . Opening is planned for Friday 30th November closing down on the 6th January , (Christmas Day Closed ) Opening hours : 10:00 am ~ 23:00 daily Mon~Sun . Price : Adult €12 (group rates €10 pp. Child under 16 €10 . Family : €35 (2 adults + 2 kids) School Groups: €7 pp.

Vouchers €3 off the price per person . Vouchers can be had in any of the shops .

Waitsian

Fraggle00 wrote: »

I had a look at the work there the other day. They have what looks to be a large chiller unit and they are installing lots of blue pipe under where the track will run. Does this not mean that they will be making real ice and keeping it frozen using the chiller? I thought synthetic ice used polymers and oily liquid to work or am I misunderstanding things?

No, that's ice alright. Interesting. Go figure.

neacy69

shindig-jp wrote: »

Here's the skinny , Track will be frozen . Opening is planned for Friday 30th November closing down on the 6th January , (Christmas Day Closed ) Opening hours : 10:00 am ~ 23:00 daily Mon~Sun . Price : Adult €12 (group rates €10 pp. Child under 16 €10 . Family : €35 (2 adults + 2 kids) School Groups: €7 pp.

Vouchers €3 off the price per person . Vouchers can be had in any of the shops .

opening is delayed until tmrw as the dundalk on ice FB page

Waitsian

I walked passed it an hour ago and there ain't no ice. There's a wooden fence on the outer edge, and then another on the inside. Looks like something you'd see for sheep or cattle sales! :eek:

Salt001

Oh I can just see some drunken idiots trying to get on to it after a night out in Ridleys .

All joking aside though if it brings some life to the square it can only be a good thing. It might put a bit of a buzz around the place.

MugMugs

Salt001 wrote: »

Oh I can just see some drunken idiots trying to get on to it after a night out in Ridleys .

Hmmmm

Anyone up for a few pints?

Pighead

Seen people skating on the ice rink this afternoon. Looks like it's finally opened for business. Think the official launch is this weekend.

Jake The Fat Ma

It looks terrible.

peejay1986

Looks like someone's fumigating the square.

Nesta99

Pics anybody...i'm exiled these days

10green bottles

Nesta99 wrote: »

Pics anybody...i'm exiled these days

Theres plenty of photos on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dundalk-Square-On-Ice/206172446185644?fref=t

The Jammy dodger

There was nobody at it. Whatever launch was meant to take place I certainly failed to see it. Looks like the 10euro for an hour and 35 for a family really did a good job at launching it after-all, if 5 - 10 people was their marketing target.

tayto lover

The Jammy dodger wrote: »

There was nobody at it. Whatever launch was meant to take place I certainly failed to see it. Looks like the 10euro for an hour and 35 for a family really did a good job at launching it after-all, if 5 - 10 people was their marketing target.

Obviously a throw-back to the Celtic Tiger era. Money making idea but the public not buying into it.

10green bottles

I was down at it earlier and it was packed out.Bit on the dear side alright,great fun though

MugMugs

Went with the missus earlier...... She saw the price and said I could use it toward a meal out instead. Thought a tenner each was a bit rich for me to spend an hour on my arse

Funglegunk

Sean Lock was having the craic on the rink over the weekend.

The Jammy dodger

Funglegunk wrote: »

Sean Lock was having the craic on the rink over the weekend.

Yeah well he can afford to can't he? :P

tayto lover

Who is he?

Funglegunk

tayto lover wrote: »

Who is he?

Moderately successful British comedian.

My name is URL

Funglegunk wrote: »

Moderately successful British comedian.

pfft... one of the best British comedians of the last decade

Funglegunk

My name is URL wrote: »

pfft... one of the best British comedians of the last decade

I like Sean Lock but I wouldn't go that far!

Funglegunk

Funglegunk wrote: »

I like Sean Lock but I wouldn't go that far!

Not in stand-up but other that he's right up there.

shindig-jp

Deleted User wrote: »

Not in stand-up but other that he's right up there.

The man's an upstanding guy alright, spent a small fortune in Dundalk , How bad's that for upping the economy a little.

More Comédie please .

rugbyman

Took a party of children there today. Simply put , a terrific facility, prob 50 young people out there, very helpful staff,

Congrats to whoever put this together

Rugbyman

10green bottles

Good news, Ice skating will return on the 29th November 2013

Ice skating will return to Dundalk’s Market Square this Christmas season with the potential to attract up to 30,000 people, thanks to an improved skating experience on offer and huge reduction in ticket prices from last year’s event.

Dundalk on Ice will open up in the heart of the town centre in late November, thanks to the full backing of Dundalk BIDS, Dundalk Town Council and the numerous town centre businesses and associations who have come together to sponsor the initiative.

Making the announcement this week, Dundalk on Ice Project Manager, Martin McElligott said: “I’m thrilled to confirm that Dundalk on Ice will officially open on Friday November 29th coinciding with the Night of Lights and will remain open through to December 31st.

“We have been working on this along with Dundalk Town Council and Dundalk BIDS since last July. Last year’s event brought 15,000 people into the town centre but there were a few lessons to be learned.

“Dundalk on Ice will face out onto the Market Square, from under the Big Screen. The company supplying the rink, have also supplied the London Olympics and Harrod’s rooftop ice rink. It will ‘float’ on the Market Square surface and will be far superior in appearance.

“Also, we looked at affordability and decided that we should reduce ticket prices. School packages will also be available, within school hours. We will also be offering promotions along with local retailers,” said Martin.

Fiona Cunningham, Dundalk BIDS, which has worked closely with Martin McElligott to bring Dundalk on Ice to fruition, said today: “Over 15,000 people visited the Ice Rink last year. Due to the reduction in ticket prices, special themed sessions such as One Direction and Disney, and in general a better skating experience, there is the potential to attract up to 30,000 visitors to the Market Square this Christmas season.

“Also, due to the repositioning of the rink it will be possible for markets to continue to be held on the Market Square and benefit from the increased footfall.”

David Storey, Senior Executive Officer, Dundalk Town Council, said that the town authority was more than happy to welcome Dundalk On Ice to the town centre.

“We all saw last year how successful the ice rink on the Market Square was, yet of course there were lessons to be learned. Dundalk On Ice will see the Market Square used to its full potential offering visitors to the Dundalk town centre a fantastic experience.”

A dedicated website, www.dundalkonice.com will be online to the public midweek with links to dedicated Facebook and Twitter.

http://talkofthetown.ie/2013/10/21/dundalk-on-ice-to-return-this-christmas/

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Good to hear but I just hope it looks better than last year. That one was an eye-sore. If this one is backing on to the coffee shop it had better look decent.

Anything that brings people into town now is good news.

MugMugs

Despite the fact I'll probably take out everybody in my immediate area with a slippy clothes line, I'm quite looking forward to this

10green bottles

10green bottles wrote: »

Good news, Ice skating will return on the 29th November 2013

Just noticed on their website that 'Dundalk on Ice' will actually now return on Saturday 23rd November and not on the 29th as i posted


http://www.dundalkonice.com/

Also some more good news for ice skating fans:Ice dome to re-open in 2014

http://talkofthetown.ie/2013/11/07/dundalk-ice-dome-set-to-reopen-in-the-new-year/

Waitsian

10green bottles wrote: »

Also some more good news for ice skating fans:Ice dome to re-open in 2014

http://talkofthetown.ie/2013/11/07/dundalk-ice-dome-set-to-reopen-in-the-new-year/

Yeeeeees! That's just made this Canadian very happy.

10green bottles

The ice skating is back this year and it's real ice too

http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/local-news/dundalk-on-ice-set-to-be-an-extravaganza-this-christmas-with-real-ice-and-indoor-facility-1-6356474

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Not that eyesore at the square again!

Nesta99

10green bottles wrote: »

The ice skating is back this year and it's real ice too

Real slush more like! But it does the job.

rockstar_91

10green bottles wrote: »

The ice skating is back this year and it's real ice too

Now will it be ice or "ice"!

10green bottles

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/82166250#Comment_82166250

SORRY for bumping the thread but i remember the Sean Lock pic appearing on this thread back in the day and i actually searched for it but seems it's gone now. I'm wondering if Funglegunk still has the photo? Would be brilliant to see it just one more time.

Thanks.