A PERMANENT indoor ice rink and a sky diving and ski centre in Cribbs Causeway could be open as soon as next year after plans were unveiled for the development on land next to the Venue.

The proposals are part of a vision by developer, Baylis Estates, to introduce an ‘active sports’ theme to the entertainment and retail opportunities in Cribbs Causeway to make the area a ‘day-out’ destination.

The new facilities also include a sports store, hotel, restaurant, coffee ‘drive thru’ and car showroom.

This site had previously been earmarked for the proposed Concorde Museum until an alternative museum site was secured through an agreement last year between the Bristol Aero Collection Trust and Filton Airfield owner BAE Systems.

Prior to submitting a planning application, Baylis Estates will be carrying out a community engagement programme, including a public exhibition at the Mall shopping centre on Friday, June 19 from 1pm until 7pm.

David Mace, director at Baylis Estates, said: “Our ambitious plans for the site include building a flagship permanent indoor ice rink so that residents across the district and the wider West of England area no longer have to travel to other parts of the country to access this sort of facility all year round.

“An indoor skydiving and ski centre - the first in the South West - is also planned for the site, along with a sports store, hotel, restaurant, coffee ‘drive thru’ and car showroom, which will deliver significant social and economic benefits to the area.

“We are really keen to develop an active sports theme on this site which links well with the adjoining leisure park at The Venue and will provide important and integrated facilities for the future development in and around Cribbs Causeway.”

A spokesman for Planet Ice, who will operate the new ice rink, added: “Planet Ice are Europe’s leader in ice leisure and we are really excited about the relationship between ourselves and the Cribbs Causeway development.

“The new ice rink will offer some highly engaging and unique opportunities for the local community irrespective of physical, educational, or emotional barriers.

“There will be a broad range of ice sports available from ice hockey to speed skating, family time skating, and well-priced public skating seven days a week, plus our ‘learning’ programme where we teach skaters the principle of ice skating so they can go on to enjoy skating more confidently in a safe and fun environment.”

Subject to securing planning consent, these new facilities are expected to open in late 2016.