Press Release

Mayor opens Guildhall Square Ice Rink

Monday 17th December

The Guildhall has been transformed into a winter wonderland as it plays host to a synthetic Ice Rink from Monday 17th - Friday 21st December.

Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson, NI Champion Skater Dempsey Andrews and Linda Niell, Project Officer with the Business and Cultural Animation check out out the Ice Rink which will be situated in Guildhall Square from Monday 17th - Friday 21st December.

The opening of the ice rink was officiated by the Mayor Alderman Drew Thompson and 10 year old NI champion ice skater, Dempsey Andrews who will be appearing with the Russian Ice Stars in ‘Beauty & the Beast on Ice’ at the Millennium Forum in January.

Speaking at the opening of the ice rink, the Mayor said,

“The Ice Rink is set to be a great visitor attraction for the city centre in the days running up to Christmas. With the spectacular backdrop of the Guildhall it is certainly going to add some festive magic to the air. I would like to thank Dempsey Andrews for coming to the city today to help us officially open the ice rink with a display of her outstanding talent. ”

The 144metre square rink is being brought to the city by Derry City Council in association with the Ice Magic ® company who have almost 10 years experience in the installation of rinks around the UK and overseas.

The Ice Skating in the Square is being supported by Derry City Council with additional funding from the Business and Cultural Animation Programme. Project officer Linda Neill said,

“We are delighted to be associated with what I’m sure will be a spectacular attraction. The Business and Cultural Animation Programme is about bringing’ The Walls’ and its environs to life. I cannot think of a better way to achieve this than ice skating in Guildhall Square.”

Endorsed by the National Ice Skating Association, this eco friendly state of the art rink is set to provide visitors to the city with a truly memorable experience for all the family. Standard ice skates will be available together with dual blade skates for toddlers, ice scooters and a skate chair for the disabled.

The Ice Rink will be open daily from 3pm - 9pm (17th, 18th, 20th and 21st) and 2pm - 8pm (19th). Skates will be supplied and admission will be £5 (adults) and £2.50 (children).

Dempsey Andrews will be appearing with the Russian Ice Stars in the Beauty & the Beast on Ice’ performance at the Millennium Forum from Wednesday 16th - Sunday 20th January. For more information click on www.millenniumforum.co.uk or telephone (028) 7126 4455.

For more information on the Ice Rink, other Christmas events and shopping offers in the city click on www.festivetime.com or pick up a Festive Times voucher booklet which is available throughout the city.

Festive Time ~ Festive Shopping campaign is a joint promotional campaign between funding partners Derry City Council, Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau, City Centre Initiative, Richmond and Foyleside Shopping Centres and DoE Roads Service. It aims to profile events and shopping offers during November and December.

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Dempsey Andrews is set to become one of Northern Ireland’s brightest Ice Skating stars with a catalogue of awards to her name already. For more information on her career to date click on www.freewebs.com/champsonice/

For more information contact Marketing and Communications on (028) 71376504

ENDS

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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