A TEMPORARY ice rink facility should be provided, is the recommendation to be put forward to cabinet, following a turbulent council meeting on Thursday.

An overview and scrutiny meeting descended into chaos as the future of skating groups was discussed at Slough Borough Council's overview and scrutiny meeting at the council's headquarters in St Martin's Place.

Emotional statements were voiced as to why a temporary facility was absolutely vital to the future of the skating groups and the viability of the refurbished Slough ice rink. While Steve English, director of operations for Slough Jets, urged members to re-evaluate the timescale for the refurbishment to start at the end of the 2016-17 season.

He said it would cause irreparable damage to ice hockey in Slough and a loss of jobs if a temporary facility was not provided.

Mr English added: "It's taken 30 years to build the Jets, Phantoms and recreational teams. 

"Our head coach, Ben Pitchley, is currently the head coach of the England National Teams Programme, the regional mentor coach for the South East of England, and up until this summer, was a lead instructor for the EIHA coaching programme. He is widely regarded as the best junior coach in the country.

"All through the negotiations, which we believed had led to a temporary rink, we have stressed that we want to keep skating alive for all sections of the community; the hockey, the figure, dance and synchro skaters, the youth who enjoy skating socially and of course SPICE."

Although representatives from Slough Community Leisure put forward their proposal to provide a rink on the grounds its contract with the council would be extended in the town, former leader of the council, Rob Anderson, described it as a red herring as the charitable organisation would not be able to provide a full size rink - leading to the exclusion of many skating groups.

There appeared to be some confusion among councillors who attempted to discuss the full five-year £35 million leisure strategy, which was approved - and not up for discussion - in January.

The recommendation has been made amid controversy surrounding the refurbishment of the rink, set to get underway from October, for a period of nine months.

Before resigning at the start of June prior to a vote on whether he should remain in his role, cllr Anderson and his cabinet had formed a deal with a temporary ice facility provider. However, cllr Arvind Dhaliwal, Slough mayor, blocked an urgent cabinet meeting which would have ensured a decision and would have enabled the council to move forward with the deal.

The recommendation will be put to cabinet this evening and a final decision will be made.