Delayed by about 10 days, the ice skating season, Shimlas major winter attraction, is expected to start within two or three days at the Asias biggest natural rink, subject to the conducive weather conditions.
A clear sky with minimum temperature staying below 4C to 5C was a prerequisite for ice skating, said Bhuvnesh Banga, secretary, Shimla Ice Skating Club.
The area of the skating rink, which is equal to the size of five tennis courts (58 m X 30 m), has shrunk temporarily by almost 10 per cent as a lift from Lakkar Bazar to Mall Road under the Shimla Smart City Mission is being built at the club entrance.
The HISTORY of the club dates back to 1920, when tennis courts were converted into a natural ice skating rink by Irish military official Blessington. During winter, when he sprinkled water on the tennis court to settle the grass, it froze within seconds and he immediately thought of converting the arena into an ice skating rink.