Derelict Clonmel building to be transformed into Winter Wonderland
Former Superquinn premises to be used as an ice rink
New life is to be brought to Market Place in Clonmel with the opening of an ice rink in the former Superquinn premises.
Derelict for over fifteen years, the Superquinn building will open as an ice rink from mid-November to mid-January.
The Clonmel on Ice initiative was announced by the new Clonmel BID Chief Executive, May Stokes.
“We are really thrilled to bring this project to life. It is going into a building that has not been occupied for a long time, and we are thrilled to revitalise Market Place,” she said.
The new BID leader said the initiative means that Clonmel and Tipperary families who might have travelled to other locations to get the ice rink experience will have such a facility on their doorstep.
“Hopefully this will keep people in Clonmel and will encourage people living in other locations to visit Clonmel, bringing increased footfall to the town,” she said.
“This is very exciting news for the town, with the old supermarket building transformed into a Winter Wonderland. It will give the town a new festive attraction for the full Christmas and
New Year period. It is presented by Clonmel BID and delivered by the experienced team behind South Dublin On Ice, Point Village On Ice, Sligo On Ice, Malahide On Ice and many
More,” said the BID CEO.
May Stokes said the rink is central to Clonmel BID’s plans for the town centre this Christmas.
“ Its location on Market Place puts visitors within a short walk of the town’s shops, cafés, bars and restaurants, and the two-month run means that benefit is spread across the busiest trading
weeks of the year. This initiative demonstrates the energy and enthusiasm that is there among the business people of the town who are bringing this project to Clonmel,” said May Stokes.
“We are delighted to bring Clonmel On Ice to the town this Christmas. A real ice rink in the centre of Clonmel is a genuine draw, not just for families locally but for people across Tipperary and the neighbouring counties, and that is exactly the kind of reason to visit that the town centre needs at this time of year.”
“Everything Clonmel BID does is about bringing more people into the town centre and giving them more reasons to stay longer once they are here. We are really looking forward to the increase in footfall the rink will bring to Market Place and the surrounding streets over the festive season, and we would encourage every business in the town to make the most of it,”said the BID CEO.
Clonmel On Ice will be staffed by a dedicated team of professional staff and rink marshals who support skaters of all ages and skill levels and keep the experience safe and enjoyable for everyone on the ice. Public skating sessions, lessons and party packages are all available to book.
Dedicated school sessions can be booked through the separate school booking form on the website, alongside group bookings for sports clubs, youth groups, social groups and
birthday parties.
Sensory sessions will also run every Tuesday at 6 pm and Sunday at 10am, offering a quieter skate with lower lighting, reduced music and a smaller number of skaters on the ice.
The rink is fully accessible, and carers attending with the person they care for can skate free of charge.
Tickets are on sale now at www.clonmelonice.ie.