Skates on – rink’s almost ready! (From Gazette)

Skates on – rink’s almost ready!

4:00pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in Colchester

David Pullen and son, Bradley, 13, on the synthetic ice

COLCHESTER’S first ice rink is all set to open, creating 20 jobs.

David Pullen and brothers George, Gary and Dennis have spent about £250,000 transforming a former NHS building on the Whitehall Industrial Estate into the Diamond Ice Rink.

The 75ft by 25ft synthetic ice rink has room for as many as 80 skaters at a time and is due to open on February 25.

It also has seating for 30 people and a snack bar.

Mr Pullen, 42, from Kirby Cross, said it felt great to be the first people in Colchester to open an ice rink.

He added: “It has taken a long while and I’m exhausted. I can’t believe the ice is finally in.”

The rink will be open seven days a week from 10.45am until 10.30pm, split into five two-hour sessions.

The building, in Grange Way, was previously known as Heath House and leased by North East Essex Primary Care Trust, as a base for services for patients with learning difficulties.