Castlebar's Christmas Ice Rink 'has fantastic potential'
DETAILS of the Mayo Ice Skating Rink at the Mall in Castlebar this Christmas have been officially announced.
The event will run from Friday, November 24, to Sunday, January 7.
Speaking at the launch at Bridge Street Bar this evening, Bill Cremin, managing director, Cool Running Events Limited, said he regarded the venue as the best in the country and looked forward to the region's largest covered rink getting underway in the coming weeks.
“It would not have been possible to gain assess to such an iconic site with its wonderful Christmas lighting scheme without the support of Castlebar Municipal District and Mayo County Council.
“It's proxinity to the town centre is also important. It has fantastic potential. It can be successful in both county and regional terms. It won't work unless all stakeholders pull together, but I am confident it will happen here because the rink is a driver of footfall.
“The reason I came to Castlebar was the enthusiasm of Castlebar Chamber of Commerce and the backing of the council and people of the county town
“We are determined to make this a major success. But there's no point in having it as a once-off event. We would like to see it running for many years to come, like it is in Cork and other locations.
"We do long term events. If we get the numbers for which we are hoping this year, then next year will see 20 per cent growth and that will continue year on year.”
Wilson Bird, president, Castlebar Chamber of Commerce, said the skaking rink was coup for Castlebar and the county.
“It's a fantastic story in the overall objective of rebuilding the town as the major commercial centre that it is. It is our hope that an additional 30,000 to 40,000 will visit and spend money in Castlebar over the festive season as a result of this initiative.
“In my view, this is the start of Castlebar really working to its strengths and pulling together. It's all about the greater good of the town and county.
“But we need the support of the public at large and I extend special thanks to Bill Cremin for bringing his €250,000 project to the town. We need 25,000 people skating to make this work and, if it that happens, we will make this an annual promotion.”
Councillor Martin McLoughlin, cathaoirleach, Castlebar Municipal District, said Castlebar has turned a corner commercially and everybody is working towards a pro-business, pro-commercial plan.
“A project of this nature is a game changer and I am very confident for the town's future on the basis of what is happening locally thanks to the Chamber of Commerce and others.”
Local man Jarlath McHale has been appointed manager of the amenity.
The skate rink is being sponsored by The Connaught Telegraph, First Choice Credit Union, Mayo County Council and Mid West Radio.
*Check our Facebook page for video coverage of the launch over the course of tonight.