The Netherlands’ 15 artificial outdoor ice rinks are loss-making and many require on local council cash to survive, according to research by Nos tv.

Councils are keen to support the rinks because they are seen as an important social provision, Nos said. Most rinks are only open a few months a year.
Last year, Utrecht and The Hague rinks went bankrupt and Eindhoven is investigating selling its rink to a private firm.