Canberra is one step closer to having a new twin sheet ice sports facility as early as 2022, following the announcement of a chosen proponent for the venue today, Thursday 3 September.
Plans for the facility, which have been in the works for over four years, will see the venue hold two Olympic-sized ice rinks with a capacity for 2,000 spectators.
The ACT Ice Sports Federation (ACTISF) president Tony Prescott welcomed the announcement today, saying it would bring a variety of new events to the Territory.
“The facility will be for all ice sports as well as recreation and it has the opportunity to bring national and international events to Canberra,” he said.
“Currently the Phillip rink host the CBR Brave as well as figure skating and Broomball. This is an opportunity to host speed skating, curling and disabled ice sports for the first time and then national championships as well.”
Cruachan Investments Pty Ltd were announced as the suitable proponent and are expected to submit a detailed design plan for the suggested site on Rowland Rees Crescent in Greenway by 2021.
Mr Prescott said designs and plans were still in the process of being finalised, but an estimated opening date would fall somewhere around late 2022 or early 2023.
The ACTISF have been rallying for the facility for the past six years, with an ACT Government commitment on the matter announced in 2016.
“This is an exciting step for Canberra, particularly for the sports but also for the wider community as this will provide a new recreational facility for everyone to enjoy,” said ACT Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry.
“This announcement goes beyond that commitment and brings Canberra a big step closer to the construction of a new facility.”
Mr Prescott thanked the ACT Government for their continued support for the venue, especially during the pandemic.
“What we didn’t plan on – and of course no one else did either – was COVID-19,” he said.
“However, the ACT Government and the proponent behind the development recognise the benefits on offer to a community during challenging economic times with a major piece of infrastructure.
“This is a much-needed investment in community sport as well as an important investment in the Tuggeranong community, and an investment in Canberra to create more jobs, and support for the economy through COVID.”
