Planet Ice have today confirmed that Basingstoke Bison will not be competing in the 2023/24 season. The plan will be to put together a team to compete in the 2024/25 season given that works are required at the rink.

Chief Operations Officer Heath Rhodes commented ‘Given the works that needs to be done at the rink it seems to make sense to skip next season for The Bison. Whilst the legals with Basingstoke and Deane Council regarding the future of the rink are ongoing we are confident of a conclusion and until then it will be business as usual for our other users which include junior activity, Buffalo, patch, learn to skate, public skating and birthday parties’.

Bison Director John Neville commented ‘It’s disappointing, understandable and inevitable that the Bison organisation has been informed by Planet Ice that we won’t be icing a team in the 2023 / 24 season, our facility needs much needed repairs and we will work collectively with Planet Ice to ensure that we have a facility we can all be proud of for the 2024 / 25 season.

John continued, “I would like to thank our coaches, players, off ice staff and volunteers for the tremendous support they have given me over the last few years in very trying working circumstances and all at the Bison would like to thank our loyal fans for the tremendous support they have given the players week in week. Rest assured we will be back in September 2024 bigger and better”.

Basingstoke Bison, who have successfully made the Playoffs this season, will play their last game at Planet Ice Basingstoke this Sunday April 9th face off 17:30 versus Leeds Knights.