Slough Ice Arena, which has been refurbished and extended by construction and infrastructure company, Morgan Sindall in a £10m project, has officially opened to the public with a free family fun day.
The project has revitalised the community facility, ensuring the sport and leisure destination — which continues to be the home of the Slough Jets ice hockey team — will serve the people of Slough for years to come.
Works included a two-storey canopy extension, which houses a new entrance, reception, café, gym and climbing wall. The extension was constructed with three five-tonne wooden feature arches, each of which is 30m wide and 12m high. Their installation allowed for just a 1mm margin of error and required maximum precision and quality control from the Morgan Sindall team.
The existing building was fully refurbished; it has been reclad to transform its appearance while extensive landscaping and public space works took place creating a strong visual link to adjacent Bath Road and Salt Hill Park.
Throughout the project, special consideration was given to the adjacent Montem Mound, which has Scheduled Ancient Monument status — a designation protecting it as a nationally important archaeological site. No works were allowed to disrupt the mound and site hoardings were carefully positioned to ensure it was protected.
Morgan Sindall replaced the footpath that goes over the mound and this landscaping was then integrated into the design of the whole site — the building and outside space. The Ice Arena rebuild was developed by Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), a joint venture between Morgan Sindall Investments Limited and Slough Borough Council, which was set up to drive regeneration in the town.
James York, Morgan Sindall’s Area Director in Slough, said: “This was a complex project requiring accuracy, whilst also being mindful of public access routes and a site of historic importance at all times during construction.
“Working in close collaboration with the council, archaeologists and ice rink specialists, we have delivered this outstanding sports and leisure facility for the local community.
“It is another testament to our continued successful public-private partnership with Slough Borough Council, which is delivering transformative municipal projects across the town.”
SUR General Manager, Andy Howell said: “The success of the grand opening this weekend and all the positive comments from local people is testament to the hard work and effort the Morgan Sindall team have put into this major refurbishment and extension.
“The Council has demonstrated real vision for the Ice Arena and SUR is delighted to have been part of delivering this great new leisure facility for the borough. Hopefully the Arena will put Slough on the map for everything ‘on ice’.”
Alan Sinclair, Slough Borough Council Director of Adults and Communities, added: “This is an exciting year for sports-led regeneration in Slough and the delivery of the transformed Slough Ice Arena marks a major milestone in our journey to get more people, more active, more often.
“We are committed to making Slough one of the most active towns in the UK and central to our leisure strategy is the provision of state-of-the-art leisure facilities for local people.”
