Romford Ice Arena facts for kids
The Romford Ice Arena was a popular place for ice skating in Romford, England. It was built in the 1980s and opened its doors in 1987. This fun spot had a cafe and arcade games for everyone to enjoy. The arena closed in April 2013.
A new place called the Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre opened nearby in 2018. It was named to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Sapphire Jubilee. This special event marked 65 years of her being the monarch.
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Romford Ice Arena: A Hub for Ice Sports
The Romford Ice Arena was the home of the Romford Raiders ice hockey team. Their very first game at the arena was on September 13, 1987. The Romford Raiders won against the Oxford City Stars with a score of 9–6. About 479 people watched this exciting game.
David Jones from the Oxford City Stars scored the first goal of the game. However, the Raiders' first goal was scored by Erskine Douglas. Besides ice hockey, the arena also had professional figure skating coaches. They taught people how to glide and spin gracefully on the ice.
More Than Just Skating
The ice rink was not only for sports. It was also open for public skating sessions. People could come and skate for fun with their friends and family. The arena also served as a place for conferences. It was even a popular spot for birthday parties and other celebrations.
The local council, the London Borough of Havering, owned the building. They leased it out for others to manage. In December 2007, the ice rink even appeared in a BBC Christmas advertisement.
In 2011, there were plans to knock down the Romford Ice Arena. The idea was to rebuild it with new features like a gym and a swimming pool. But at first, they decided to just fix up the old building instead.
The New Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre
In April 2013, the original Romford Ice Arena closed for good. The building was planned to be replaced by a large supermarket. However, that site is still empty as of August 2025.
A brand new leisure centre was built in Romford town centre. It is located on Western Road. The Sapphire Ice and Leisure Centre officially opened to the public on February 3, 2018. This modern building is five storeys tall.
What the New Centre Offers
The new centre has an eight-lane swimming pool. This pool is perfect for swimming competitions. It also features a large ice rink, measuring 56 meters by 26 meters. This is a great size for both skating and ice hockey.
On the upper floors, you can find many other fun things to do. There are saunas for relaxing. A modern gym is available for workouts. You can also find dance studios and fitness rooms. There are even cafes and shops inside the centre.
The building's outside design looks like an ice cube. This is because of its rectangular shape and light-colored walls. The ice hockey team returned to the new rink. They are now known as the London Raiders. In its first year, over half a million people visited the new centre.
External links
- Official site: https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/sapphire-ice-leisure/
