AN ice rink, a sports centre and a kids' caf are just a few of the exciting ideas that have been put forward for the £100 million regeneration of York's Hungate area.

Dozens of residents went to the Guildhall in York to take part in a pioneering community planning weekend, believed to be the first of its kind staged in the city.

The Evening Press revealed earlier this month how a large site in Hungate, just off Stonebow, is set to be redeveloped for housing, commercial and leisure use. But residents are being consulted first before plans are submitted to City of York Council.

Members of the public have been outlining their problems, dreams and solutions for the site at a series of workshops covering issues like archaeology, ecology, transport and the environment.

The Yorkshire Philosophical Society has already put forward plans for a £5 million planetarium and science museum.

At a special workshop aimed at young people, pupils from Burnholme School came up with their ideas, which included an ice rink and other leisure facilities.

Craig Harris, 14, from Tang Hall, said: "I'd like a big leisure facility built that has swimming, bowling and football."

"The area is pretty boring at the moment and needs somewhere for us to go after dark. We're the future and it's nice to have been involved."

Planner John Thompson, who organised the event on behalf of his firm John Thompson Partners, said it had proved "very useful".

Updated: 12:44 Saturday, March 02, 2002