Since first opening its doors in 1986, Slough Ice Arena has stood the test of time as an iconic landmark of our town. Located just off the M4 with the historical mound situated right next to it, it’s hard to miss when passing through. Originally created to be home to the Slough Jets Ice Hockey team it quickly became more than a sports venue.
The ice rink itself is nothing short of stepping into another world. Walking through the double doors to refreshing cold air and the buzz of excitement as skaters glide across the ice. Depending on the time of your visit you’ll find eager students lacing up their boots ready to take on the ice. In the evenings the stands packed to the brim with local residents cheering for the Slough Jets players as they zoom past. It’s a scene that’s familiar to generations of enthusiastic Slough residents whose families have become a part of the ice-skating community.
Once such resident being the Ice Arena’s very own General Manager Julie Miles. She started working at the Ice Arena from age 15, from Skate hire to stewarding, through the last 35 years Julie’s love for the ice arena has only grown as she worked her way through various roles.
Speaking to Julie you’ll find a twinkle in her eye as she talks about her commitment to ensuring the Ice arena continues to provide exciting opportunities to local young people as it did for her and her family. With Julie’s son, Brandon, being a current player for the Jets and her brother, Terry, previously being the captain of the Slough Jets.
As a training base and home for the Slough Jets, the Ice arena is a state-of-the-art facility for players to hone their skills. With extended opening hours allowing for practice sessions, often till 2am, it is no surprise the team was crowned 2024/25 Britton League champions earlier this year. Now going into their 40th Season, the Slough Jets home matches are an ever-popular event for the local community to come together and support the team.
Undoubtedly the Slough Jets are a source of pride for Slough, but the same can be said for the players of the team and the Ice Arena. You’ll find the familiar faces of some players making up part of the dedicated staff at the Ice arena. Making the Ice arena inclusive and welcoming to all has been at the core of the management team values when hosting events. Recently the Ice Arena hosted back to school Skate N Rave sessions, open to 8-17-year olds, in partnership with Love Music Hate Violence. The sessions saw a great turn out with over 350 young people from Slough coming together to have fun on the ice.
Slough Ice Arena has also played a prominent role in developing the skills of eager skaters, whether it’s for ice hockey, ice skating or synchronized skating. One of the most popular programs being the learn to skate course, open to all ages, abilities and delivered by the skilled instructors, it sees over 900 participants weekly.
Now there is no shortage of excitement at the arena with preparation for Snow White on Ice. With rehearsals currently taking place leading up to this year’s annual Christmas panto. The creative production performed by local ice skaters and talented voice actors will take place from the 5th – 7th December.
It is the versatile nature of Slough’s Ice arena as a venue that has allowed it to establish itself as a Cultural hub. From hosting charity skate-a-thons, practice sessions with Olympians or being used as a filming location for Netflix’s A Thursday Murder Club.
For Slough’s residents the Ice Arena is a place where sports, creative arts and local pride collide on the ice.
