Open Letter to Queens

Open Letter to Queens
QUEENS skate dine bowl, London - Saturday 3 August 2024 Photograph courtesy of an unaffiliated ice rink patron.

To the Management Team at Queens,

I, the webmaster, hope this message finds you well. As a dedicated member of the Queens ice rink community, I am writing to express the growing concerns of myself and your patrons regarding the current state of the ice rink facilities. Over the past few months, several safety issues have consistently been observed, posing serious risks to patrons and detracting from the overall experience that Queens aims to provide.

Firstly, the ice has been consistently too soft, which compromises the skating experience and increases the likelihood of accidents. Additionally, the ice is often covered in a layer of water, making it hazardous for skaters. More alarmingly, there have been numerous instances recently where the ice is almost non-existent, with large patches of concrete visible. This presents a significant danger to all rink users.

It has also come to our attention that the staff responsible for maintaining the ice are not adequately trained. Proper maintenance of the ice surface is crucial for safety and enjoyment, and it appears that the current training provided to staff is insufficient.

The root of these issues seems to stem from inadequate cooling systems, which are no longer capable of maintaining the ice at a safe and appropriate quality. This failure not only puts patrons at risk but also squanders the membership fees we pay, as we are unable to enjoy the rink safely.

In response to these ongoing issues, I have established a website, rink.pics, where I, with some support from other rink patrons, will be documenting the quality of the ice on a regular basis. This platform will serve as a public record of the conditions at the Queens ice rink, and I will continue to post updates until the ice quality is restored to a safe and acceptable standard.

I urge the management team to take immediate action to address these concerns:

  1. Improve the training of staff responsible for ice maintenance.
  2. Upgrade the cooling systems to ensure they are capable of maintaining proper ice conditions.
  3. Conduct regular inspections and maintenance to prevent the recurrence of these issues.

Our community values the Queens ice rink and wants to see it thrive as a safe and enjoyable place for all. I am hopeful that you will take these concerns seriously and act promptly to resolve them.

For further discussion, I can be reached at [email protected].

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
A group of your most loyal skaters.