WHAT if, instead of disappearing under a new office block, Durham Wasps’ former home became an ice rink once again?

That was the thought which prompted Richard Endean to drawn up an alternative vision for the Freeman’s Reach site, in Durham City.

A business consortium wants to build 4,000sq metres of office space on the riverside site, which was home to the legendary Wasps team until the mid-1990s but is currently a disused bowling alley.

But Mr Endean has long campaigned for the return of a permanent ice rink and he says this is what it could look like.

The graphic designer’s vision has proved a hit on Facebook, being ‘shared’ more than 500 times.

Mr Endean said: “I know that there’s absolutely no real chance of the ice rink being re-established on the site, but I felt that if enough people were of the same opinion, it might just demonstrate that there is actually a demand for something like this in the Durham area and that the council should really consider it as a serious option when developing design briefs for other regeneration areas in the city and county.

“I expected a handful of friends to ‘share’ the photo, but was amazed when I checked an hour later and found it had attracted 100 shares. By the next day the figure was up to 500.

“At the very least I hoped to spark a bit of debate and it certainly seems to have achieved that.”

To see Mr Endean’s vision, go to: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151248872130983&set=a.327561145982.159770.666950982&type=1&theater To see the current plans for the site, visit durhamriversiderenewal.co.uk