Hull City Council has hired a UK specialist to lead the refurbishment of the Hull Arena.

The local authority has awarded contracts to Ice Tech UK for a new ice pad and air system at the rink.

The building in Kingston Street is home to the region's only Olympic-sized ice rink and hosts semi-professional ice hockey as well as major concerts and events. It was temporarily closed in March last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Now the council has agreed to award contracts to bring the arena back into public use.

The works are expected to be completed in early September ahead of the reopening.

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The council is working closely with ice hockey clubs, figure skaters and other customers, as well as with the English Ice Hockey Association to try to ensure the works do not affect National Ice Hockey League fixtures hosted at the arena.

Councillor Daren Hale, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for land and property, said: "The Hull Arena is one of the city’s most well-loved entertainment venues and has been missed during the period of its closure, which was necessary due to coronavirus and essential maintenance work.

"But these contracts will ensure the arena will be able to reopen looking better than ever, with a brand new ice pad, refurbished changing rooms and a new air handling unit. Ice Tech is a nationally recognised company which does a lot of work for ice arenas all over the country, as well as Olympic stadiums.

"This is fantastic news for the city’s serious and casual skaters, ice hockey players and music fans as we look forward to the venue being reopened very soon."