Organisers “delighted” with response to improved skating facility.

Skaters are hanging up their boots today as Lincoln’s seasonal ice skating rink is packed away.

The ice rink shut up shop yesterday after another successful year – attracting more than 20,000 visitors since it opened in November.

Alongside the summer roller rink and regular farmers markets, the ice rink is one of the many events organised by the Lincoln Business Improvement Group.

Events and promotions manager Michael Armstrong explained that 2009 had been another successful year for the drink, saying he was “delighted” by the response it had received from Lincolnshire residents.

“We’ve had lots of people on the ice this year,” he said.

“I haven’t got the final facts and figures in yet, but we’ve all been pleased with the response to this year’s rink.

“We expect to have had somewhere in the region of 20,000 visitors to the rink. The online booking sales were very strong.

“The rink itself has been much more visually attractive this year, which I think has helped. We were able to build the site much lower, meaning people could look over the side when walking by.

“The older generations took to it incredibly as well. I even started recognising people from last year’s rink.”

The first ice skating rink was installed in City Square in 2005, and subsequently, was brought back again in 2006.

Skaters said at the time they enjoyed it so much they called for the construction of a permanent rink.

However, in 2007, the rink was replaced with a big wheel, which in turn was replaced with two fairground rides.

The rink made its triumphant return for Christmas 2008, and then officially re-opened for 2009 on Thursday November 26.

On Sunday, December 20, last month, the city’s ice rink also played host to a record-breaking attempt, as more than 70 suited Santas began skating on the rink at the same time.

Of the Santas ice skating challenge, Mr Armstrong added: “The Santas on ice has been a fabulous thing. It worked really well, and we’ll be looking into bringing that back as well.”

Local father Dan Pudney, 36, from Burton Waters, near Lincoln, said he thought the rink was a great addition to Lincoln every year, especially for kids.

“It’s a great idea, and it would be nice to see the rink as a permanent fixture,” he said.

“The children seem to really enjoy it, and my little girl loves it.

“The turn out seems to have been really good. It’s good fun, and everyone seems to have a good time.

“It’s well organised, and the staff have a good system in place. The price is only £5 for kids, and that includes boot hire, which is pretty good value.”