Construction work has begun on a temporary ice rink at the £700m Cardiff International Sports Village (CISV) in Cardiff Bay.

The CISV rink will replace the existing Wales National Ice Rink, which will be demolished later this year.

Building work on the temporary rink is due to be completed by September 2006, when it will boast 2,000 seats, changing facilities, offices and a café.

Leader of Cardiff Council, Rodney Berman, said: “I am delighted that work on the new temporary rink is now underway. Providing high quality ice facilities for skaters was always a priority for this council.

“This marks another exciting chapter for the International Sports Village which, when completed, will be one of most impressive sports and leisure destinations in the UK.”

The Cardiff Bay temporary rink will be in place for between three to five years. However, should the government grant a regional casino licence for the International Sports Village site, a new, permanent ice skating facility would potentially be built as part of a larger, multi-purpose sport and entertainment arena.

Other plans for CISV include a snowdome and a whitewater centre.

Ground will be broken on the Cardiff Bay site on 3 July by Councillor Berman, to officially mark the beginning of the construction. Details: www.cardiff.gov.uk