A 'VITAL' community ice rink which has permanently closed has seen another fundraising campaign kick off to try and save it.

The 'Save Bracknell ice rink' fundraiser aims to raise £100,000 in a bid to purchase or part purchase the John Nike Leisure Complex site.

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Graeme Bower, who set up the campaign alongside four other residents, understands how 'critical' the ice rink is for the community and people in the borough.

The GoFundMe page says: "This is a vital community facility and we are looking to raise funds to purchase (or part purchase) the facility, update it and get it back open for the tens of thousands of local users.

"If we cannot properly apply the funds raised to saving the complex, all donations will be refunded

"We are fully understanding that it would take £5m to £8m to buy the complex and land and then to refurbish the existing rink and slope as well as all the facilities. We do not believe that that level of fundraising is an achievable target at this time.

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"However, we need to raise funds as soon as we can to ensure that we can approach the owners and / or potential buyers and show that the community is serious about reopening this facility. We have set the initial goal at £100,000. If we reach this goal, we will extend the target. "We believe that £100,000 is a level of fundraising that will at least allow the community to have a say in what happens next. The larger the figure, the more 'power to our elbow'."

If the target is met, then the funds will be used to partner with the John Nike Leisure Group owners or a potential buyer for a 'percentage stake in the land'.

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The fundraisers also believe if they raise this significant amount, then they will be taken more seriously.

So far, £2,558 has been raised through the page to save the ice rink.

It said: "This is the only Olympic sized rink for miles, and whilst there are other smaller rinks available with 40 minutes plus travel, we know that those rinks do not have enough ice time to accommodate the large number of clubs and training sessions required by all of the users of the Bracknell rink.

"Whichever way you look at it, the community needs to show willing and raise a significant sum of money so please please please help as little or as much as you can

"The Bracknell community is significantly less without this facility and we hope we can help get it back open for business again."

Visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-bracknell-ice-rink to donate.