Sheep-grazing CO₂ ice rink to open in UK

A new leisure centre will soon open in Barton Grange, near Preston (Lancashire, UK) with a grass-roof and a CO₂ transcritical ice rink according to an article published by the British newspaper Lancashire Post on 19 July 2018.

The curling ice rink (containing four ice sheets) will form part of a leisure complex to be opened in Barton Grange called ‘The Flower Bowl’ that includes a “bowling alley, three-screen cinema, restaurant, fish and chip shop, mini golf course and coffee shop”, according to the newspaper. 

The two million pound (€2,236,317) contract to install the CO₂ ice rink, for curling, and an eco-friendly roof, over the rink with grass for sheep grazing, went to British building and engineering company Ameon.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to demonstrate our versatility in the leisure sector, and also showcase our abilities working with an array of environmentally- friendly technologies,” Ameon’s managing director Robin Lawson said.

The CO₂ transcritical system will also deliver air conditioning to the cinema and recover heat from the cooling process to heat the curling hall and the rest of the leisure complex.