It's been quite some time since there was a review on the Ice Rink.
My experience was pretty dire. I remember going as a kid in the mid 80's and although the place was always a bit run-down looking it was a good environment back then and fun.
These days I can't say anything good about the place. Sorry and this is purely my opinion and experience so maybe others can find positives but I certainly can't.
The whole place is tatty to the point I'd wonder if Health & Safety ever bother to visit. Some area's are in a shockingly bad state of upkeep, the floors are uneven and the steps at the sides of the seating area's are far to high for younger kids to manage when they've got skates on.
The staff, if you can figure out who they are, have no idea about how to treat visitors - we had a pair of teenage girls, probably barely 14yrs old, at the skate kiosk who spent more time giggling with each other than paying attention and getting our skates or returning our shoes.
I didn't see a single person anywhere around the sides in case there was an accident, which it would seem pretty obvious is bound to happen. You wouldn't see a swimming pool without lifeguards!
The cafe, well, we just avoided that as soon as we saw it. The food might be amazing but I wasn't prepared to pay money to find out, the look of it alone killed my appetite.
I can only comment on the one gents toilet that I used, it was pretty much on par with a public toilet. I hope the pools on the floor were just water off the ice, but the smell makes me suspect they weren't.
Price wise, for what you get I don't think it's good value: 2 adults + 2 children with skate hire comes to £29 for a max of 2hrs assuming you're there for an entire session.
In my view there are far better alternatives for a 2+2 family in there area for both price and overall satisfaction, with the likes of Waves which is £15, Blue Reef at £26.50, 18holes at Lost World Golf is about £15 (last published 18hole prices at £4.50 adult an £3 child).
While I think Blue Reef is overpriced for what is actually there, the quality of the centre can't be disputed.
To sum up, overall I don't think for price, experience and the facility overall, that W/Bay Ice Rink has much to offer a family other than disapointment. Poor and rude staffing, slightly yob-ish atmosphere from some other customers, in a ran down wreck of a building. read more