Lee Valley Ice Centre, owned by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and managed by GLL, a charitable social enterprise and worker-owned cooperative operating under the community-brand, Better, will see ice hockey return in a brand-new £30m venue.
On Sunday 10 September, for their inaugural game of the NIHL South Division 2 season, Lee Valley Lions hosts local rivals Chelmsford Warriors to mark their return to their home ice.
This outstanding facility stands out as one of only three in the country, and the very first in the south-east, to boast two Olympic-sized rinks.
Gavin Pearce, general manager at Lee Valley Ice Centre, said: “It will be great to see the return of Lee Valley Lions ice hockey to their roots.
“They were such a huge part of the history of the old ice rink and now they have our amazing new venue to play their home games. We hope Lee Valley Lions can have a successful first season back at home.”
Shaun Dawson, chief executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome back Lee Valley Lions for an exciting new season at the new Lee Valley Ice Centre.
“After two years of construction, the revival of sporting events at our new Ice Centre marks a significant development, underscoring our commitment to foster local talent, provide top of the range sporting facilities for clubs and individuals and a sporting and social legacy for generations to come.
“With its twin Olympic-sized rinks and a range of sport/activity offers, from ice hockey to figure skating and fitness gym to fitness classes, we want the venue to be more than just a facility – our vision is for it to be a vibrant community hub that brings people together.”
Nestled within Lee Valley Regional Park, the economic impact of this remarkable establishment is projected to be substantial, potentially contributing up to £1.5 million annually to the local economy.
The venue is expected to have an estimated half a million annual visitors, doubling the numbers of the previous Lee Valley Ice Centre, which served the community for 37 years.
Lee Valley Ice Centre is a testament to sustainability, featuring extensive environmental, landscaping, and biodiversity enhancements. The £30m investment by venue owner Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, with support from the London Borough of Waltham Forest, has resulted in a world-class ice venue that proudly stands on the site of its predecessor on Lea Bridge Road, Leyton.
Notably, the new Lee Valley Ice Centre is set to become the most sustainable ice venue in the UK, blending innovative architectural features with £1.5m worth of landscaping, planting, and environmental improvements.
The facility harnesses solar panels, wastewater recycling systems, and operates fully on electricity. Its construction, incorporating gabion baskets, demonstrates a commitment to nature, providing nesting and bat boxes, and is surrounded by lush meadows and new trees that actively attract and support local wildlife and biodiversity.
If you’re looking to Learn to Skate or want to get involved in health and fitness offerings at the new Lee Valley Ice Centre, please visit: https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/lee-valley/ice-centre.
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