Swansea's ice rink hopes could be decided in the next two months.The council is in talks with developers and says the possibility of a new rink is still very much alive a year after plans were first revealed.
Developers are expected to bring firm proposals to the council within two months.Talks aimed at bringing an rink to the city are still at an early stage 12 months on, but Planet Ice, the company behind the proposals, is still keen to come to the city.
The car park next to the refurbished £32 million leisure centre is believed to be their preferred site.
The company, which has rinks in Basingstoke, Milton Keynes and the Isle of Wight, has been discussing the plans with Swansea Council and is hopeful a deal can be arranged.
Planet Ice was the company behind the city's hugely successful temporary ice rink at Christmas, on the land in front of the National Waterfront Museum.
Heath Rhodes, the company's communications manager, said: "We are still in negotiations with Swansea Council over the rink, but everything looks quite positive.
"We cannot say how, what, where or when yet, but we are still looking at Swansea favourably."A delegation from the council has already visited Planet Ice's Coventry rink to see how it is run.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "It was a fact-finding visit by officers to see one of the venues being operated by a leading company in this field.
"The visit will form part of an initial assessment of the potential for such a project in Swansea."
It is also understood that property developers acting on behalf of Planet Ice have been in the city to look at possible sites.
Oystermouth Road car park, or part of it, is thought to be one of the company's favoured sites, although both parties say it is too early to talk about specific details.
Swansea Council's spokesman confirmed talks are continuing.
He said: "The council is currently in preliminary discussions with an ice rink operator to explore opportunities for delivering an ice rink development within the city centre. These discussions are at an early stage, and a number of exciting options are still being considered.
"These negotiations are ongoing and are aimed at allowing the council to fully assess the business case for any proposed future development."
Council leader Chris Holley said any deal would have to be right for Swansea.
"All I can say is that developers have been to the city to have a look, but they haven't yet come back with a plan," he said.
"If they do decide to come, and as long as they put together a reasonable development for Swansea, then we will welcome it.
"The success of the Waterfront Winterland and temporary ice skating rink over Christmas will have surprised a lot of people.
"Hopefully, they will look at that and see if they can repeat that success."
