BRACKNELL residents have expressed their 'heartbreak' after a picture showed the John Nike Leisure Complex completely flattened.
The leisure complex closed on March 20, 2020, and made the move permanent in June the same year closed due to financial difficulties caused by the coronavirus lockdown.
The building was reportedly bought by Bridges Fund Management and Barwood Capital in 2021, who sought planning permission for the construction of an industrial warehouse.
But residents and those living outside of Bracknell would have remembered the site for what it stood for.
READ MORE: Demolition of popular John Nike Leisure Complex site captured in pictures
And plenty of Bracknell News readers have shared great memories of the former ski slope and ice rink.
A number of Bracknell Bees fans also reacted to the picture of the site being demolished.
Steve Merry said: "I spent over thirty years in that building for skating on a Friday night to working for the Bees. The night we got the Ice Hockey Superleague trophy is up there…. I’ve laughed, cried and been extremely drunk in that building over the years… I met my wife there and my kids grew up there… I loved our humble little palace. RIP John Nike Leisuresport Complex. Thanks for all the good times… I will miss you."
Melanie Hollier said: "I’d been going since ‘93 and was absolutely hooked right from the first game. To say it’s been a huge part of my life, along with my friends above in the comments—I miss you all!— is putting it mildly The Bees games became a family event each week, something I’m truly thankful for. I’ll miss it terribly."
Danny Perchard said: "I have a few memories of JNL.. Becoming the Manager of the Bracknell Hornets, Skating, taking my own son skating and to the popular foam ice party… but one memory I’ll always have is going to the rink weekly to watch the Bees play when I was kid before he was diagnosed with CJD. Good Bye JNL! You’ll be missed by everyone."
Linda Rose added: "Blimey, what a great place it was, home of the Bracknell Bees, and loads of activities. Very sad to see it go."
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