ICE skating in Slough has been "kept alive" after months of uncertainty came to an end following the approval of a temporary ice rink.

Approval has been given for a temporary ice rink at Slough Ice Arena while the facility is refurbished from November, meaning that groups such as Special People on Ice (SPICE) and ice hockey team Slough Jets will be able to continue in the town.

It was first reported in The Observer that the clubs were under threat as Slough Borough Council initially offered no interim solution while the centre undergoes a nine-month redevelopment.

But cabinet members granted its approval at a meeting on Monday – at a cost of £336,000 – almost half the cost of the original proposal.

Ricci Hodgson, founder of SPICE – a volunteer-run club which teaches children and young adults with learning difficulties, disabilities or additional needs to ice skate – said: “The last nine months has been pretty tough for our members because there has been a question of what we were going to do.

“It is a enormous relief and we are very grateful to the council and its officers for putting the plan together.”

“It is a wise decision and it is all for the community and for all the groups, such as SPICE, that are regularly at the rink. It really is brilliant news and everybody is delighted.”

Ice hockey team Slough Jets’ director of operations Steve English said: “We’ve worked long and hard with the council officers to achieve this result which will see Slough remain a skating town.

“There’s been many obstacles to overcome on the journey and I’m grateful that the elected members have seen the huge benefit this will be to Slough to keep skating alive.”

The Observer broke the news to the groups in February that the rink was to close while the refurbishment was carried out, leaving them fearing for their futures.

The rink will cost £336,000, after initial estimates presented to cabinet in July of £632,000 were reduced after deciding to introduce a temporary surface to the car park and service provider, Amey, reducing its costs.

A planning application has been submitted which is set to be decided upon next month.

Alison Hibbert, leisure strategy manager, said: “If the planning application is approved in October, I am confident the temporary provision will be in place by mid-November.

“There is an extremely tight timescale for work to be completed and there is no further scope for delays.

“The social return in this provision is not to be underestimated as the benefit will impact on the residents in Slough, particularly the younger ones.”

The temporary rink will be based in the car park of the arena in Montem Lane, with the £7.7m refurb, to the permanent rink, set to begin in November.