Ice Skating Rink in City Park to be renewed with the help of EU funding18 December 2008
This building, which is considered the gateway to City Park (Városliget), will offer the opportunity for the residents of Budapest and tourists visiting the area to use the new skating rink - equally suitable for holding international ice skating competitions - in winter, go boating once again in summer and, among others, enjoy the water stage shows.
The City Park Ice Skating Rink will be completely renewed by 2010 with the help of EU funding of nearly 3.2 billion HUF in value granted within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan.
Over the past few years, the once glorious building – that is nevertheless a protected historic building - presented a rather dismal sight to visitors walking in City Park. It has not been possible to go boating on the artificial pond for quite some time now due to the run-down technical state of the ice skating rink; consequently, the concrete slab remaining spoiled the immediate surroundings of Heroes Square, one of the main tourist attractions of the capital.
In accordance with the Government’s decision, the renewal of the ice skating rink that began back in 2006 can now continue with the help of EU funding. A new 16,800-square-metre ice skating rink will be built on the site of the old rink as a part of the New Hungary Development Plan by investing a total of 4.7 billion HUF, which beyond offering entertainment for some half a million people hopefully by 2012, will equally be suitable for holding professional international ice skating competitions.
Moreover, in order for the ice skating rink to not only function as one of the main tourist attractions of the capital during the skating season from October through to March, the 3.2 billion HUF investment to be implemented with the help of EU funding will once again make boating possible in the City Park in the summer season. In addition, a water stage will be built on the pond, whilst entertainment and events venues, catering functions and a tourist information centre will be available for anyone interested in the renewed historic reception building.
The City Park Ice Skating Rink to be renewed as a part of the New Hungary Development Plan is expected to evolve into a world class tourist attraction of Budapest by 2011.