Speed skating center pulled from Almere

The Icedôme ice rink planned for Almere will not go through after all. The business association behind the rink was unable to gather the needed resources "to be able to deliver the agreed upon collateral", sporting association KNSB announced on Wednesday. 

The consortium writes on Facebook that there are some doubts about the financing of the structure as well as the operation.

Sporting associations KNSB and NOC*NSF ended partnership on the Icedôme for these reasons. The associations as well as the Icedôme itself are disappointed at the turn of events, they say in an announcement.

The ice rink was meant to become a top notch training center in Almere for long distance skating, shorttrack, inline skating and figure skating. It is unclear if the building will still be built or not. According to KNSB director Paul Sanders, every possibility is open.

Sanders says that there will be negotiations, as there is a dire need for Dutch athletes to be in possession of a perfect Topsport Training Accommodation.

A spokesperson for the KNSB says that contact will be made with Thialf and the TranSportium in Zoetermeer, who vied for the tender together. The complex would have been built by BAM and Van Vlijmen. A spokesperson for BAM says that the consortium will negotiate a different route.

"The partners remain positive about Icedôme Almere. Everyone has understanding for the fact that more time is needed for quality and solidity. The partners want to remain connected to realize the best ice sport and events accommodation at the best location", the consortium writes on Facebook.