Major changes in Blackburn as work building Ice Arena began (original) (raw)

IT was part of a major construction project that changed the face of part of Blackburn.

In 1990 work began on clearing land around Lower Audley. The so-called canalside development would soon become home to Asda, a variety of other retail outlets and Blackburn Ice Arena.

These photos from the archives show the construction of the arena though to its official opening by world and Olympic champions Torvill and Dean in 1991.

The impressive facility became the home for the Blackburn Hawks ice hockey team and in its early years also hosted both WCW and WWF wrestling tournaments and a Status Quo concert as part of the band’s 1994 tour.

Over the years a number of leading ice skaters have both trained and performed in Blackburn. And the arena has played a key role in the hit TV series Dancing on Ice with a number of celebrity contestants having trained there under the watchful eye of champion skater Karen Barber who would become a judge on the show.