PLANS for the first permanent Olympic-sized ice arena and curling rink in a Hampshire city have been revealed.

A privately funded £20 million mixed use development, proposed by Aethos Development Ltd, would transform the old depot site at Bar End in Winchester.

As well as the ice arena, the proposal includes an 120-bed hotel, restaurant, coffee house and convenience store.

There would also be 10 pin bowling and indoor caving featured within the arena development.

The project is supported by Olympic champions and Dancing on Ice stars Torvill and Dean and Robin Cousins.

Those behind the development plan to use environmentally-friendly technology in the design which will not only make the site self-sufficient in power use but will also provide the new leisure centre, due to be built adjacent to the depot site, with sufficient power to heat the swimming pools and buildings.

The new facility will provide Winchester with its first permanent ice rink and will be the only Olympic-sized arena on the South coast.

It will also bring Olympic curling to the South as the first purpose-built four lane curling rink in England.

The plans will be presented to Winchester city councillors at the Town Forum meeting at Winchester Guildhall being held tonight, Wednesday, November 15.