Shimla’s historic Ice rink to transform into Year-Round skating hub with ADB funding

Shimla is set to get a state-of-the-art ice skating cum roller skating rink, enabling tourists and locals to enjoy ice skating not just for three months in winter but throughout the year. The tender process for this project has commenced, according to Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap during a special meeting with the officials of Shimla Ice Skating Club.

Deputy Commissioner Kashyap stated that this all-weather rink will be built with the latest technology and will provide top-notch facilities. He encouraged club members to promote various activities at the rink besides ice hockey. He highlighted the significance of the ice skating rink for tourism and mentioned plans for plantation around the club.

The proposed rink and building, costing ₹42 crores, will be funded by the Asian Development Bank. The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Department has invited tenders, with the submission deadline being August 8, 2024. The project will be divided into two parts: civil and technical works.

The new rink, funded by ADB, will feature a refrigeration plant to maintain ice year-round, offering participants and tourists continuous ice skating opportunities. Plans include changing rooms, a rink, a roller rink, a restaurant, a fire alarming system, a conference hall, and a surveillance system, all meeting international standards.

Ice skating is particularly popular among children and youth. During January, school and college holidays see many parents bringing their children for skating, along with a significant number of young adults seeking the thrill of skating. The rink also offers basic training and hosts various competitions for ice hockey enthusiasts. Shimla’s rink, the country’s first open-air skating rink, naturally forms ice. The new rink will provide year-round practice facilities for Himachal Pradesh’s ice hockey players, enhancing their skills significantly.

Constructed in 1920 by British national Blessington, the rink originally served as a tennis court. Due to the winter snow, it was converted into a skating rink. Over the past 104 years, it has become a popular winter holiday destination for children. Shimla’s rink is one of Asia’s oldest open-air rinks. In 1965, Yugoslav President Marshal Tito visited, awarding the winners of an ice hockey competition with the Marshal Tito Trophy, which continues to be awarded today.

Present at the meeting were Shimla Ice Hockey Club officials, former club secretary Bhupnesh Banga, club secretary Manpreet Singh Sembhi, along with others.