ACT politicians join forces for new ice sports centre

April 18, 2018

CANBERRA.—  The ACT Ice Sports Federation (ACTISF) today announced the appointment of MLAs Bec Cody (Labor) and Vicki Dunne (Liberal) as ACTISF co-patrons as the federation continues working towards achieving a new twin-sheet ice sports centre for Canberra.

“Establishing the National Ice Sports Centre in Canberra has been an objective of ours for several years, and the ice sports community is working with all sides of ACT politics to turn this into a reality,” ACTISF president Tony Prescott said today.  “We are very pleased to have Vicki Dunne and Bec Cody join our ranks, both of whom are passionate ice sports advocates and have a long and proud history supporting local ice sports.”

As a teenager,  Bec Cody was one of the early pioneers of women’s ice hockey in the ACT when she started playing at Phillip ice rink. Meanwhile, Vicki Dunne has been a proud ice sports parent for many years, with her son, Tom a junior figure skater before graduating to become an ACT representative – and still active – ice hockey player.

“We welcome the ongoing support from our elected representatives across the political spectrum,” Prescott said.  “It goes to show community sport can bring people together regardless of differences.”

Vicki Dunne was first elected to the legislature in 2001, and is currently deputy Speaker and shadow minister for health and the arts.

“Canberra has been in need of a new ice sports centre for quite some time, and it’s important we develop a venue that allows local ice sports to grow while providing opportunities for all Canberrans,” she said.  “I’m pleased to support the federation in its efforts and I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders to achieve a new ice sports centre.”

Bec Cody, a first-term Labor MLA for Murrumbidgee said she enjoyed the ice sports as a teen.

“I loved playing ice hockey as a teenager, and I would encourage Canberrans to take up the ice sports or recreational ice skating,” she said.  “I look forward to working with the ACT Ice Sports Federation on the future of ice sports in the ACT.”

The ACTISF believes the ice sports’ growing profile in Canberra – and across Australia – offers the ACT Government a golden opportunity to combine community participation with a national focus.

“As proud Canberrans, the commitment we share with Bec and Vicki is to community sport,” Prescott said.

“Building the National Ice Sports Centre will enable our sports to continue to develop and become more sustainable long-term.

“Our vision is for Canberra to become the national capital of ice sports, particularly as we are the gateway to the snow and have the Australian Institute of Sport right here. While developing elite programs will be part of our approach, we want to create new opportunities for our local kids including speed skating, curling and various disabled ice sports activities.

“We want to create skating programs for schools as well as opportunities through ice sports for ‘at risk youth’.  For the federation, it’s about utilising a new facility to give back to the community and growing our sports in the process,” he added.

ACTISF believes a new national ice sports centre could be operational in 2019-20 following a timeline which includes full community consultation, planning, and design.

“The government and the federation agree on the importance of private sector involvement to take this project forward,” Prescott said.

“We remain committed to working with potential investors/operators to achieve a new facility.

 “We encourage any interested parties who share our vision to come forward and help shape this project.”

Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced in August 2016 during the election campaign the ACT government’s commitment to partner with the federation to achieve a new ice sports facility, starting with the government’s funding of an options process.

He said at the time construction of the facility in Canberra’s south would commence within the four year parliamentary term.

“With the ACT government’s, Active Canberra’s and the local community’s ongoing support, we remain on track,” Prescott added.

(Note: RiotACT's Lachlan Roberts' report published on 21 April reflects the importance of the patrons' appointment.)