A new £1.5m ice rink is to be constructed at EK in East Kilbride.

The multi-million pound facility will see the current ice rink upgraded and improved, while it is also likely that a number of new family-orientated restaurants, plus a new gym by the owners of the EK shopping and leisure centre will also be built. The new services will operate alongside the existing cinema complex.

In a statement, South Lanarkshire Council said discussions are currently being held with a number of potential clients for the site.

The full development programme - which is scheduled to commence in 2014 and has a scheduled completion date in late 2015 - will also see major improvements to the public areas throughout the Olympia mall. It is understood the work on the ice rink will begin in late summer 2014 and is expected to last for one year.

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Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, Councillor Eddie McAvoy, said: "This is fantastic news for East Kilbride. Creating a leisure hub within the shopping centre is something we are delighted to support and I am sure will be a great success.

"The ice rink is still very well used with more than 100,000 visitors each year. Unfortunately it is now around 25 years old and needs a major refurbishment if it is to continue to be fit for purpose.

"This announcement safeguards the future of the ice rink and ensures it will be at the heart of this exciting new leisure development."

Currently, the ice rink is operated by South Lanarkshire Leisure and Cultural Trust and is held under a lease by the council, with a sub-lease to the Trust. This arrangement would continue once the work has been completed and a new 25-year lease agreed with the town centre owners.

(JP)