A MOTHER has described the temporary closure of an ice rink as a ‘huge blow’ for her disabled daughter who has seen the chance to skate as ‘a dream come true’.

Helen Gregory-Osborne, from Windsor, said SPICE (Special People On Ice) has really helped her disabled daughter and is incredibly concerned after Slough Borough Council confirmed last week it will not be providing a temporary rink while regeneration work is completed at Absolutely Ice, in Montem Lane, beginning this autumn.

Ten-year-old Vivi, who lives with her mum in York Avenue, suffers from quadriplegic cerebral palsy and after a long wait to join SPICE she finally made it onto the ice last year.

Mrs Gregory-Osborne said: “She finally got there last summer and she absolutely loves it. It is a dream come true. She goes once a week and it has made her more confident.

“She has two helpers, one under each arm but really hopes to do it on her own. This is a huge blow.”

The ice rink has been an oasis for Vivi, who’s condition severely affects her arms and legs and as a result she has undergone a revolutionary series of operations not available on the National Health Service.

Vivi, who attends St Francis Catholic Primary School in Ascot, has to endure intensive physiotherapy every day and every night and will continue to do so for the next 20 years. Her mum said: “It’s is relentless but it is better she get used to it now when she is young.”

SPICE has set up a petition on Change.org called ‘Keep Skating Alive in Slough!’ and it has already gained nearly 1,300 signatures in two days.

Slough Borough Council has said a temporary rink would cost more than £500,000 and that does not include staffing, 24-hour security, or facilities like toilets and reception areas.

A Slough Borough Council spokesman said: “This is the biggest overhaul of our leisure infrastructure in a generation and we’re confident that, once finished, the ice arena, the new leisure centre and the community sports stadium will provide the sort of high quality facilities we’ve not been lucky enough to have on our doorsteps until now.

“Some people have mentioned other areas where temporary rinks were put in place – these rinks are run by commercial private companies who are not under the same financial pressures as we are.”