Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes: Difference between revisions

Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes
The MK Arena, The Thunderdome
Former names	The Thunderdome, Bladerunner Arena
Location	Planet Ice, 1 South Row, Central Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes MK9 1BL
Owner	AEW UK Ltd
Operator	Planet Ice
Capacity	2,800 (2,200 seated)
Construction
Opened	1990
Renovated	2013-2014
Tenants
	Milton Keynes Thunder (2001–present); Milton Keynes Lightning (2002–present); Milton Keynes Lions (1998–2012); Milton Keynes Kings (1990–1996, 1998–2002); London Knights (1998–2000)

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Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes is a 2,800-capacity multi-purpose ice rink/hockey rink located in Milton Keynes, England, as part of the Leisure Plaza complex (near the Central station).

Arena history

Opening

In 1990, the rink opened as the Bladerunner Arena as part of the brand new Leisure Plaza complex, located close to Milton Keynes Central railway station. The Leisure Plaza facility offered a leisure and retail complex to Milton Keynes: the location featured trees, shrubbery, family picnic areas and a large pond hosting wildlife and plants with a footbridge crossing the water. In addition to the ice rink, the new complex also featured Flamingo's nightclub, Megabowl 10-pin bowling alley, Cafe Moonshine (later Heroes sports bar), an Argos superstore and Homebase centre.

The ice rink itself boasted 2,200 seats, 3 licensed bars (one overlooking the ice surface, the other a kiosk at ice level), a restaurant, 3 function rooms (2 of which overlooked the ice surface – one having a bar), an ice sports shop, cafeteria, video games area, skate hire, 8 team changing rooms (1 reserved for the home professional ice hockey team), DJ box, management offices and an olympic sized ice pad.^{[citation needed]} Its facilities and ice pad was one of several rinks which opened in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 1990s two of Bladerunner's smaller changing rooms were converted into a large changing room, office and meeting area for the specific use of the Milton Keynes Kings Junior Ice Hockey Club.^{[citation needed]}

1990–96

Bladerunner would regularly sellout on Kings game nights and would often have to turn customers away due to the success of their public ice skating sessions. Other events included ice shows, figure skating competitions and concerts. On several occasions the Great Britain men's national ice hockey team used the arena for training camps and games and it was also used as the training base for Olympic champion figure skaters, Jane Torvill & Christopher Dean.

In 1992 arena owners First Leisure closed the venue, however it was opened soon after following public outcry, including public rallies outside the offices of Milton Keynes Council and First Leisure. Public demand saw the ice rink re-open in time for the 1992/93 ice hockey season. However this was not the last time the ice rink would close its doors, a second short closing and re-opening in the early 1990s was followed by a permanent closure in 1996.

1996 closure

Public protest and the popularity of the Kings ice hockey team were not enough to find a new owner for the ice rink and the doors became locked, apparently for good, in the summer of 1996. Users of the ice rink instead were forced to travel over an hour to ice rinks in Oxford, Stevenage, Peterborough and Haringey – including the MK Kings Junior Ice Hockey Club who re-located first to Stevenage and then to Haringey under the Milton Keynes name.

1998 re-opening

After two years of closure the arena re-opened under the new ownership in April 1998 and was renamed Planet Ice, with the Kings ice hockey team being re-formed in the third tier of English ice hockey under the ownership of local businessman Mike Darnell. Popularity of the venue was just as high as when the venue first opened in 1990, with Planet Ice's learn to skate courses being over-subscribed for several years. The arena featured several changes when it was re-opened, including; large scale re-decoration, the ice sports shop in the arena concourse being bricked up, the alcohol kiosk at bar level converted into a store room, a new 'Skate Xpress' shop opening in the skate hire area of the building. Not all areas of the ice rink complex re-opened, including the restaurant which remained closed.

In addition to the MK Kings re-formation, Planet Ice reached an agreement with Anschutz Entertainment Group for their newly formed Superleague side London Knights to use the arena as their training base. This saw the junior club's purpose built changing room converted into a luxury dressing room with a two of the smaller changing rooms converted into an office and gym, all for exclusive use by the Knights. Delays in the opening of the Knights new arena in London saw the team play several home games in Milton Keynes before they were finally able to host games at the London Arena whilst the team trained and lived in MK. Planet Ice was sporadically converted into a basketball court and used as home venue for British Basketball League side Milton Keynes Lions for home games selected for live television coverage on Sky Sports.

2000–02

The Knights left Milton Keynes in the summer of 2000, moving to Lea Valley to be based closer to their home arena. The next year in 2001 saw the formation of a new senior ice hockey team, Milton Keynes Thunder to play at the fourth level of English ice hockey, key for local players not good enough to make the step up to the Kings team who had by now moved up to the second tier British National League. In 2001 a second senior ice hockey team, Milton Keynes Thunder, began using the arena as their home venue, albeit in the lower leagues of British ice hockey. A dispute over which league the Kings team should compete in led to Planet Ice evicting them from the arena in 2002,^[1] with the new Milton Keynes Lightning formed in their place who joined the third tier English Premier League.^[2]

2002–2013

Thunder and Lightning have remained in the arena since, with Lightning achieving multiple league, playoffs and cup championships over their 10 seasons – both teams have also moved up one league tier since their inceptions – although attendances at games have diminished since Wimbledon FC moved to Milton Keynes in 2003.^[3] In 2012 the MK Lions basketball side explored the possibility of using Planet Ice as a permanent home following the closure of nearby Prestige Homes Arena, however no agreement was reached and the team re-located out of the city.^[4]

Since the opening of the Xscape development in Central Milton Keynes, Leisure Plaza lost its prestige and had become rather neglected as the popularity of this once popular complex diminished. Flamingo's nightclub closed and was re-opened as 'Empire' but closed down again in the mid-2000s and has been shut since. Heroes sports bar also closed before re-opening as 'Smile Gentleman's Club'.^{[citation needed]}

2013–14 refurbishment

Plans to refurbish the site, including upgrading the ice arena and the opening of apartments, retail units, a supermarket and casino, had been planned for some years; in March 2013 the redevelopment of the rink was confirmed as starting in summer 2013 with the permanent closure of the bowling alley. The ice rink closed on 14 July 2013 and redevelopment work started. The new rink opened in late 2014 in conjunction with a Morrisons Supermarket and another as yet unannounced shopping unit.

2017–

In April 2017, AEW UK bought the freehold interest in the arena building from Planet Ice.^[5]

In June 2018, Strong Style Evolved UK, a two-day professional wrestling event promoted by New Japan Pro-Wrestling, took place at the Planet Ice Arena.^[6]

In March 2020, the venue was temporarily transformed into a morgue to help deal with the casualties of the coronavirus pandemic.^[7]

References

^ "Milton Keynes Kings". www.thefreelibrary.com.
^ "Milton Keynes Lightning | British Ice Hockey". Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
^ "Crozier 'appalled' by Dons move". BBC Sport. 22 August 2002.
^ "EXCLUSIVE: Lions to leave Milton Keynes after 15 years - MK Lions - Milton Keynes Citizen". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012.
^ "AEW acquires Milton Keynes Planet Ice Investment". Avison Young UK (Press release). 7 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
^ "Strong Style Evolved UK N1". Revolution Pro Wrestling. 2018. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
^ "Milton Keynes based ice skating rink is to become a temporary morgue". MKFM. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.

52°01′55″N 0°46′16″W / 52.032°N 0.771°W / 52.032; -0.771

[1] "Milton Keynes Kings". www.thefreelibrary.com.

[2] "Milton Keynes Lightning | British Ice Hockey". Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.

[3] "Crozier 'appalled' by Dons move". BBC Sport. 22 August 2002.

[4] "EXCLUSIVE: Lions to leave Milton Keynes after 15 years - MK Lions - Milton Keynes Citizen". www.miltonkeynes.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012.

[5] "AEW acquires Milton Keynes Planet Ice Investment". Avison Young UK (Press release). 7 April 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2020.

[6] "Strong Style Evolved UK N1". Revolution Pro Wrestling. 2018. Archived from the original on 19 May 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.

[7] "Milton Keynes based ice skating rink is to become a temporary morgue". MKFM. 31 March 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Distinguish|Marshall Arena}}
 {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}}
-{{Infobox stadium
+{{Infobox venue
-| stadium_name      = Planet Ice Milton Keynes
+| stadium_name      = Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes
-| nickname          = The MK Arena (The Thunderdome)
+| nickname          = The MK Arena, The Thunderdome
 | image             = Planet_Ice_Logo.gif
 | location          = Planet Ice, 1 South Row, [[Central Milton Keynes]], [[Milton Keynes]] MK9 1BL
@@ Line 9: / Line 10: @@
 | broke_ground      =
 | opened            = 1990
+| renovated         = 2013-2014
 | expanded          =
 | closed            =
 | demolished        =
-| owner             = The Arena Group Ltd
+| owner             = AEW UK Ltd
-| operator          = Planet Ice
+| operator          = [[Planet Ice]]
 | surface           =
 | construction_cost =
 | architect         =
 | general_contractor=
-| former_names      = Bladerunner Arena
+| former_names      = The Thunderdome, Bladerunner Arena
-| tenants           = [[Milton Keynes Thunder]] (2001–present)<br>[[Milton Keynes Lightning]] (2002–present)<br>[[Milton Keynes Lions]] (1998–2012)<br>[[Milton Keynes Kings]] (1990–1996 & 1998–2002)<br>[[London Knights (UK)|London Knights]] (1998–2000)
+| tenants           = [[Milton Keynes Thunder]] (2001–present)<br />[[Milton Keynes Lightning]] (2002–present)<br />[[Milton Keynes Lions]] (1998–2012)<br />[[Milton Keynes Kings]] (1990–1996, 1998–2002)<br />[[London Knights (UK)|London Knights]] (1998–2000)
 | seating_capacity  = 2,800 (2,200 seated)
 |}}
-'''Planet Ice Milton Keynes''' is a 2,800-capacity multi-purpose [[ice rink]]/[[hockey rink]] located in [[Milton Keynes|Milton Keynes, England]], as part of the Leisure Plaza complex (near the [[Milton Keynes Central railway station|Central station]]).
+'''Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes''' is a 2,800-capacity multi-purpose [[ice rink]]/[[hockey rink]] located in [[Milton Keynes|Milton Keynes, England]], as part of the Leisure Plaza complex (near the [[Milton Keynes Central railway station|Central station]]).
 ==Arena history==
@@ Line 28: / Line 30: @@
 ===Opening===
-In 1990, the rink opened as the '''Bladerunner Arena'''<ref>[http://www.azhockey.com/Pl.htm A to Z of Hockey, Pl]</ref> as part of the brand new Leisure Plaza complex, located close to [[Milton Keynes Central railway station]]. The Leisure Plaza facility offered a leisure and retail complex to Milton Keynes: the location featured trees, shrubbery, family picnic areas and a large pond hosting wildlife and plants with a footbridge crossing the water.  In addition to the ice rink,  the new complex also featured Flamingo's nightclub, Megabowl 10-pin bowling alley, Cafe Moonshine (later Heroes sports bar),  an [[Argos]] superstore and [[Homebase]] centre.
+In 1990, the rink opened as the '''Bladerunner Arena''' as part of the brand new Leisure Plaza complex, located close to [[Milton Keynes Central railway station]]. The Leisure Plaza facility offered a leisure and retail complex to Milton Keynes: the location featured trees, shrubbery, family picnic areas and a large pond hosting wildlife and plants with a footbridge crossing the water. In addition to the ice rink, the new complex also featured Flamingo's nightclub, Megabowl 10-pin bowling alley, Cafe Moonshine (later Heroes sports bar), an [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]] superstore and [[Homebase]] centre.
-The ice rink itself boasted 2,200 seats, 3 licensed bars (one overlooking the ice surface, the other a kiosk at ice level), a restaurant, 3 function rooms (2 of which overlooked the ice surface – one having a bar), an ice sports shop, cafeteria, video games area, skate hire, 8 team changing rooms (1 reserved for the home professional ice hockey team), DJ box, management offices and an [[Ice hockey rink#International|olympic sized ice pad]].{{cn|date=January 2013}} Its facilities and ice pad was one of several rinks which opened in the 1980s and '90s. In the early '90s two of Bladerunner's smaller changing rooms were converted into a large changing room, office and meeting area for the specific use of the Milton Keynes Kings Junior Ice Hockey Club.
+The ice rink itself boasted 2,200 seats, 3 licensed bars (one overlooking the ice surface, the other a kiosk at ice level), a restaurant, 3 function rooms (2 of which overlooked the ice surface – one having a bar), an ice sports shop, cafeteria, video games area, skate hire, 8 team changing rooms (1 reserved for the home professional ice hockey team), DJ box, management offices and an [[Ice hockey rink#International|olympic sized ice pad]].{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} Its facilities and ice pad was one of several rinks which opened in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 1990s two of Bladerunner's smaller changing rooms were converted into a large changing room, office and meeting area for the specific use of the Milton Keynes Kings Junior Ice Hockey Club.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
 ===1990–96===
@@ Line 36: / Line 38: @@
 Bladerunner would regularly sellout on Kings game nights and would often have to turn customers away due to the success of their public ice skating sessions. Other events included ice shows, figure skating competitions and concerts. On several occasions the [[Great Britain men's national ice hockey team]] used the arena for training camps and games and it was also used as the training base for Olympic champion figure skaters, [[Jane Torvill]] & [[Christopher Dean]].
-In 1992 arena owners First Leisure closed the venue, however it was opened soon after following public outcry, including public rallies outside the offices of [[Milton Keynes Council]] and First Leisure. Public demand saw the ice rink re-open in time for the 1992/93 ice hockey season. However this was not the last time the ice rink would close its doors, a second short closing and re-opening in the early 90's was followed by a permanent closure in 1996.
+In 1992 arena owners First Leisure closed the venue, however it was opened soon after following public outcry, including public rallies outside the offices of [[Milton Keynes Council]] and First Leisure. Public demand saw the ice rink re-open in time for the 1992/93 ice hockey season. However this was not the last time the ice rink would close its doors, a second short closing and re-opening in the early 1990s was followed by a permanent closure in 1996.
-===Arena closure===
+===1996 closure===
-Public protest and the popularity of the Kings ice hockey team were not enough to find a new owner for the ice rink and the doors became locked for good in the summer of 1996. Users of the ice rink instead were forced to travel over an hour to ice rinks in Oxford, Stevenage, Peterborough and Haringey – including the MK Kings Junior Ice Hockey Club who re-located first to Stevenage and then to Haringey under the Milton Keynes name.
+Public protest and the popularity of the Kings ice hockey team were not enough to find a new owner for the ice rink and the doors became locked, apparently for good, in the summer of 1996. Users of the ice rink instead were forced to travel over an hour to ice rinks in Oxford, Stevenage, Peterborough and Haringey – including the MK Kings Junior Ice Hockey Club who re-located first to Stevenage and then to Haringey under the Milton Keynes name.
-The arena was left generally unused during this time, with rumours of staff of the other facilities inside Leisure Plaza using the ice rink as an over-sized recreation room as they had access to the building via the fire escape system connecting the bowling alley, nightclub and ice rink.
 ===1998 re-opening===
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 After two years of closure the arena re-opened under the new ownership in April 1998 and was renamed [[Planet Ice]], with the Kings ice hockey team being re-formed in the third tier of English ice hockey under the ownership of local businessman Mike Darnell. Popularity of the venue was just as high as when the venue first opened in 1990, with Planet Ice's learn to skate courses being over-subscribed for several years. The arena featured several changes when it was re-opened, including; large scale re-decoration, the ice sports shop in the arena concourse being bricked up, the alcohol kiosk at bar level converted into a store room, a new 'Skate Xpress' shop opening in the skate hire area of the building. Not all areas of the ice rink complex re-opened, including the restaurant which remained closed.
-In addition to the [[Milton Keynes Kings|MK Kings]] re-formation, Planet Ice reached an agreement with [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] for their newly formed [[Ice Hockey Superleague|Superleague]] side [[London Knights (UK)|London Knights]] to use the arena as their training base. This saw the junior club's purpose built changing room converted into a luxury dressing room with a two of the smaller changing rooms converted into an office and gym, all for exclusive use by the Knights. Delays in the opening of the Knights new arena in London saw the team play several home games in Milton Keynes before they were finally able to host games at the [[London Arena]] whilst the team trained and lived in MK. Planet Ice was sporadically converted into a basketball court and used as home venue for [[British Basketball League]] side [[Milton Keynes Lions]] for home games selected for live television coverage on [[sky sports]].
+In addition to the [[Milton Keynes Kings|MK Kings]] re-formation, Planet Ice reached an agreement with [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]] for their newly formed [[Ice Hockey Superleague|Superleague]] side [[London Knights (UK)|London Knights]] to use the arena as their training base. This saw the junior club's purpose built changing room converted into a luxury dressing room with a two of the smaller changing rooms converted into an office and gym, all for exclusive use by the Knights. Delays in the opening of the Knights new arena in London saw the team play several home games in Milton Keynes before they were finally able to host games at the [[London Arena]] whilst the team trained and lived in MK. Planet Ice was sporadically converted into a basketball court and used as home venue for [[British Basketball League]] side [[Milton Keynes Lions]] for home games selected for live television coverage on [[Sky Sports]].
 ===2000–02===
-The Knights left Milton Keynes in the summer of 2000, moving to [[Lea Valley]] to be based closer to their home arena. The next year in 2001 saw the formation of a new senior ice hockey team, [[Milton Keynes Thunder]] to play at the fourth level of English ice hockey, key for local players not good enough to make the step up to the Kings team who had by now moved up to the second tier [[British National League (1996–2005)|British National League]].
+The Knights left Milton Keynes in the summer of 2000, moving to [[Lea Valley]] to be based closer to their home arena. The next year in 2001 saw the formation of a new senior ice hockey team, [[Milton Keynes Thunder]] to play at the fourth level of English ice hockey, key for local players not good enough to make the step up to the Kings team who had by now moved up to the second tier [[British National League (1996–2005)|British National League]]. In 2001 a second senior ice hockey team, [[Milton Keynes Thunder]], began using the arena as their home venue, albeit in the lower leagues of British ice hockey. A dispute over which league the Kings team should compete in led to Planet Ice evicting them from the arena in 2002,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/ICE+HOCKEY:+Milton+Keynes+Kings.-a086459816|title=Milton Keynes Kings|website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref> with the new [[Milton Keynes Lightning]] formed in their place who joined the third tier [[English Premier Ice Hockey League|English Premier League]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/clubs/milton-keynes-lightning/ |title=Milton Keynes Lightning &#124; British Ice Hockey |access-date=2 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801215127/http://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/clubs/milton-keynes-lightning/ |archive-date=1 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-The arena in 2001 a second senior ice hockey team, [[Milton Keynes Thunder]], began using the arena as their home venue, all be-it in the lower leagues of British ice hockey. A dispute over which league the Kings team should compete in led to Planet Ice evicting them from the arena in 2002,<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ICE+HOCKEY%3A+Milton+Keynes+Kings.-a086459816</ref> with the new [[Milton Keynes Lightning]] formed in their place who joined the third tier [[English Ice Hockey Premier League|English Premier League]].<ref>http://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/clubs/milton-keynes-lightning/</ref>
+===2002–2013===
+Thunder and Lightning have remained in the arena since, with Lightning achieving multiple league, playoffs and cup championships over their 10 seasons – both teams have also moved up one league tier since their inceptions – although attendances at games have diminished since [[Wimbledon FC]] moved to Milton Keynes in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/2209767.stm|title=Crozier 'appalled' by Dons move|date=22 August 2002|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> In 2012 the MK Lions basketball side explored the possibility of using Planet Ice as a permanent home following the closure of nearby [[Prestige Homes Arena]], however no agreement was reached and the team re-located out of the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/basketball/mk-lions/exclusive-lions-to-leave-milton-keynes-after-15-years-1-4108816 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Lions to leave Milton Keynes after 15 years - MK Lions - Milton Keynes Citizen |website=www.miltonkeynes.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802020312/http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/basketball/mk-lions/exclusive-lions-to-leave-milton-keynes-after-15-years-1-4108816 |archive-date=2012-08-02}} </ref>
-===2002–Present===
+Since the opening of the [[Xscape (building)#Milton Keynes|Xscape development in Central Milton Keynes]], Leisure Plaza lost its prestige and had become rather neglected as the popularity of this once popular complex diminished. Flamingo's nightclub closed and was re-opened as 'Empire' but closed down again in the mid-2000s and has been shut since. Heroes sports bar also closed before re-opening as 'Smile Gentleman's Club'.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
-Thunder and Lightning have remained in the arena since, with Lighting achieving multiple league, playoffs and cup championships over their 10 seasons  – both teams have also moved up one league tier since their inceptions.   – although attendances at games have diminished since [[Wimbledon FC]] moved to Milton Keynes in 2003.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wimbledon/2209767.stm</ref> In 2012 the MK Lions basketball side explored the possibility of using Planet Ice as a permanent home following the closure of nearby [[Prestige Homes Arena]], however no agreement was reached and the team re-located out of the city.<ref>http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/basketball/mk-lions/exclusive-lions-to-leave-milton-keynes-after-15-years-1-4108816</ref>
+===2013{{ndash}}14 refurbishment===
-Since the opening of the Xscape development in Central Milton Keynes, Leisure Plaza has lost its prestige and has been largely neglected as the popularity of the once picturesque complex has diminished.<ref>http://www.enotes.com/topic/Xscape_(building)#Milton_Keynes</ref> Flamingo's nightclub closed and was re-opened as 'Empire' but closed down again in the mid-2000s and has been shut since, with Heroes sports bar also closing before re-opening as 'Smile Gentleman's Club' (now known as Phoenix). Shrubbery, plants, lawns and the well kept pond/picnic area have now become eyesores due to neglect, with drinks cans, shopping carts and waste replacing wildlife as occupants of the large pond. The ice rink itself is in need of repair, with a damaged ice plant system, moulded walls, and issues with condensation during the warmer months.
+<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:The Arena Planet Ice Milton Keynes.jpg|thumb|right|"The Arena" Planet Ice Milton Keynes]] -->
+Plans to refurbish the site, including upgrading the ice arena and the opening of apartments, retail units, a supermarket and casino, had been planned for some years; in March 2013 the redevelopment of the rink was confirmed as starting in summer 2013 with the permanent closure of the bowling alley. The ice rink closed on 14 July 2013 and redevelopment work started. The new rink opened in late 2014 in conjunction with a [[Morrisons]] Supermarket and another as yet unannounced shopping unit.
+===2017{{ndash}}   ===
-==Proposed refurbishment==
+In April 2017, [[AEW UK]] bought the freehold interest in the arena building from Planet Ice.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.avisonyoung.co.uk/news-item/-/article/2017/04/07/aew-acquires-milton-keynes-planet-ice-investment |title=AEW acquires Milton Keynes Planet Ice Investment |work=Avison Young UK |date=2017-04-07 |access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>
+In June 2018, [[Strong Style Evolved UK]], a two-day [[professional wrestling]] event promoted by [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]], took place at the Planet Ice Arena.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/events/2018/06/30/strong-style-evolved-uk-n1 |title=Strong Style Evolved UK N1 |work=[[Revolution Pro Wrestling]] |date=2018 |access-date=2020-04-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519095843/http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/events/2018/06/30/strong-style-evolved-uk-n1 |archive-date=2019-05-19}}</ref>
-Plans to refurbish the development including upgrading the ice arena and the opening of apartments, retail units, a supermarket and casino have been planned for some years; however as of summer 2012 there is no confirmation that the planned refurbishment will take place. Plans for the site can be seen on view at both Milton Keynes Central Railway Station and [[Central Milton Keynes Shopping Centre]].<ref>http://cmis.milton-keynes.gov.uk/cmiswebpublic/Binary.ashx?Document=18064</ref>
+In March 2020, the venue was temporarily transformed into a morgue to help deal with the casualties of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|coronavirus pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/milton-keynes-based-iceskating-rink-is-to-become-a-temporary-morgue/ |title=Milton Keynes based ice skating rink is to become a temporary morgue |work=MKFM |date=2020-03-31 |access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref>
-In March 2013 the redevelopment of the rink was confirmed as starting in summer 2013 with the permanent closure of the bowling alley and gentleman club. The ice rink closed on 14 July 2013 and redevelopment work started. The new rink will open in late 2014 in conjunction with a Morrisons Supermarket and another as yet unannounced shopping unit.
+==References==
 {{reflist}}
@@ Line 74: / Line 79: @@
 [[Category:Sport in Milton Keynes]]
-[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in England]]
+[[Category:Ice hockey venues in England]]
 [[Category:Buildings and structures in Milton Keynes]]
 [[Category:Indoor arenas in England]]