The rink will then open for public skating for the first time tomorrow with those who attended the Tigers’ game being able to skate free of charge provided they produce their ticket stub from the game.

The £4m refurbishment of the Ice Rink will not be fully completed when the rink re-opens as Telford & Wrekin Council has decided on a phased re-opening to enable people to skate as soon as possible.

Public skating starts tomorrow between 10.30am-12.45pm and 1.30-3.45pm. The facility’s cafe will open later that week.

Councillor Arnold England, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for Leisure and Well-being, said: “We have taken the decision to open the rink as soon as possible to enable people to use the new facility.

“However, I would stress that what they will see will be by no means the finished development and more work will be carried out in the coming weeks to enable the refurbishment to be finally completed.

“I am delighted that we have been able to commit this funding to upgrade the Ice Rink and give Telford a facility to be truly proud of.

“It is fitting that the first sight people will get of the new rink will be at Telford Tigers’ first home game of the season and anyone who attends the game can skate free on Monday provided they produce their ticket stub.”

Dave Smith, construction managing director at Morgan Sindall, said: “We are delighted to have reached completion on the first phase of the ice rink development.

“Once completed, the updated ice rink will provide people in Telford with a first-class leisure facility and play a key role in revitalising the town centre.

“Morgan Sindall has extensive experience in construction leisure facilities and we’re enjoying bringing that knowledge to bear on this project, which will have such a positive effect on the local community.”

Phase Two of the opening will see the soft play area open at the end of November with the preferred bidder announced in the next couple of weeks.

The refurbishment has seen major internal and external improvements carried out by contractor Morgan Sindall as part of the broader £250m redevelopment of the Southwater area of the town centre.

The refurbishment is expected to lead to an increase in visitor numbers which will support other leisure developments due to start on site in Southwater including an 11 screen Cineworld cinema and restaurants including Wagamama’s, Nando’s and Zizzi’s.