A reader wrote:

Good morning, please address the subject of the ice rink. The issue keeps coming back like a boomerang, because the ice rink on Jeleniogórska Street is once again throwing public money down the drain. An uncovered facility can only be used occasionally due to weather conditions.

Please explain why the authorities once again failed to provide a roof, did not properly prepare the facility for the season during the preceding months, and what happened to the tent that was purchased. I suggest checking the facility’s maintenance costs against its revenue, including ticket sales from last year.

What does the Municipal Sports and Recreation Centre in Bolesławiec say? We publish the response below:

From 23 December 2023 to 14 February 2024, while the ice rink was open, the facility was visited by approximately 7,300 people, including free admissions to events organized by the Centre; 7,150 admissions were based on purchased tickets. Average daily attendance throughout the season, including days off, holidays and days with bad weather, was 135 people, while an average of 20 skaters used the rink during each session. As the above figures show, the ice rink has high occupancy, and residents’ interest in this winter attraction, located in the green part of the city, is considerable.

The operating cost of the ice rink at OWR “Leśny Potok” in the 2023/2024 season was

  1. Expenses: PLN 44,170.30. This includes expenses related to preparing and opening the ice rink, as well as its ongoing maintenance and dismantling.
  2. Revenue from the ice rink’s operations last season exceeded PLN 93,000.

It is obvious that the lack of a roof reduces attendance on rainy days, as it lowers skating comfort. However, this impact does not appear to be significant, because on days with bad weather, interest in all outdoor activities generally declines, which is also visible in the case of indoor facilities.

It should also be noted that most seasonal, single-purpose ice rinks in Poland are uncovered. This is due not only to formal and legal issues, including construction law, but also to the very high costs of erecting and dismantling a tent hall for a relatively short period. It can be assumed that, in the case of our ice rink, these costs would amount to at least PLN 120,000 net, plus costs related to maintaining the tent, such as clearing snow from the roof, which would require renting a lifting platform. These costs, significantly increasing the expenses associated with operating the ice rink, would have to be covered directly from the city budget or through higher ticket prices, which would reduce access to the facility and lead to lower attendance.

An important factor in choosing the location was the ground and access to utilities, namely the water and sewage network, which uses tens of thousands of liters of water during the season, and electricity. At Leśny Potok, these were already “ready.” Another location, such as a school sports field, would require constructing them, significantly increasing the facility’s operating costs. Other locations under consideration would also require work to prepare the ground, earthworks, or the need to “build a sandbox” — as is done when locating an ice rink on the Piarist School’s sports field — and most likely transporting several dozen tons of sand.

The existing location also benefits from the social facilities at OWR “Leśny Potok.” Despite the lack of a roof, the ice rink has many positive features that demonstrate its considerable potential:

  • Accessibility for residents — the ice rink attracts numerous visitors who can use it in the afternoon and evening. It is particularly popular during the winter holidays and at weekends. Users can enjoy the winter atmosphere, which adds value to the activity itself. Many people prefer spending time outdoors, especially in winter, which contributes to improved well-being and mental health.
  • Increased physical activity — the ice rink is a place that promotes physical activity among children, young people and adults. Regular use of the ice rink improves residents’ physical fitness and health.
  • Social integration — the ice rink is a meeting place that brings together different age groups. Residents spend time outdoors, which fosters integration and the building of social bonds.