Two of Wales’s brightest ice skating stars have experienced what it’s like to perform at the Winter Olympics.

Cara McGovern, 18, from Hope, and her ice dancing partner Tom Gregory, 21, from Blacon, Chester, performed a dazzling routine at the official opening of a new rink at the Eagles Meadow shopping centre in Wrexham.

The rink was installed by the firm who provided the same synthetic ice surface for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

It was declared officially open by the Mayor and Mayoress of Wrexham, Cllr Ian Roberts and his wife, Hilary.

The winter attraction will be there until Sunday, February 19, and will be open from Wednesday to Sunday  part from the half term school holiday when it will be open every day.

Cllr Roberts said: “This is a fantastic new attraction for the people of Wrexham to enjoy. And, with Christmas over, it’s lovely to have a new activity here in Eagles Meadow to brighten up these grey winter days.”

“I understand the company, Ice Magic, installed a very similar skating rink on the roof of Harrods for a TV advert, as well as supplying rinks for use in several Harry Potter films.

“We are indeed lucky to have such a high-profile facility here in Eagles Meadow for people to enjoy.

“I’d like to thank Ice Magic and the management here at Eagles Meadow for installing the rink and would encourage everyone to give it a go!”

Cara and Tom treated the crowd to a display of their Adagio skating which is a form of pair skating most commonly seen in ice shows and involves spectacular acrobatic lifts.

After their first outing on the synthetic ice, the girlfriend/boyfriend team declared themselves extremely impressed with the surface.

They hope to join a professional ice touring company in the near future.

Cara said: “I think the rink is brilliant and a great introduction to skating.

Tom Gregory added: “I think it’s a fantastic  attraction to have in Eagles Meadow and I hope the public really gets behind it and gives it a go. It is certainly lots of fun.”

Small children can enjoy the experience too with specially designed penguins on hand to help them be pushed around the synthetic ice.

First to try out the penguins were Martha Klimaszewski, three, of Minera, Courtney Hughes, four, and Mason Hall, three, of Wrexham.

Martha’s mum, Claire Klimaszewski said: “I think it’s a brilliant idea and I’m sure children will love having a go at skating. The penguins are brilliant and a great idea.

“Mason’s mum, Jade Thomas, agreed adding: “I can see the skating rink becoming very popular while it is here in Eagles Meadow.”
Trevor Collins the Worldwide Sales Director of Ice Magic, who manufacture the synthetic ice rinks, says the company is the world’s leading supplier.

He said: “This is as close as you can get to real ice but without the need for gas guzzling generators to keep everything frozen.

“Our skating rinks are also more user friendly as you don’t get a film of lying water on top which leaves anyone who falls down soaked to the skin.

And according to Trevor, Ice Magic skating rinks have been used instead of real ice on numerous TV and film sets as well as the filming of commercials.

He said: “We were very pleased to be able to supply a skating rink to Harrods and it was used to film their Christmas TV and web campaign. Sky used a Ice magic skating rink for their Christmas Sky movies advert too.

“It’s a family friendly experience that will make shopping days that bit more fun.”