Christmas comes early for Canberra ice sports!

December 19, 2018

CANBERRA.—The ACT Ice Sports Federation today welcomed the ACT government's release of its options paper outlining the way forward towards a new twin-sheet ice sports facility.

The Ice Sports Facility Options Analysis report -- more than two years in the making -- offers three options: a single-sheet ice rink, and single and double-storey twin-sheet facility options with spectator numbers ranging up to 2000 people, with estimated construction costs between $20M-$35M. "We're very excited having reached this stage of the process," ACT Ice Sports Federation president, Tony Prescott said today. "This announcement of the expression of interest process is a welcome early Christmas present for Canberra’s ice sports community."While we still have a way to go, we've made great strides with today's announcement progressing towards a new national ice sports centre here in Canberra.“One key element of this process has been the government's and the federation's agreement on the importance of private sector involvement in what will be a major piece of leisure and sport entertainment infrastructure in the nation's capital."Companies or investors with a vision for exciting events and other live sport entertainment, with an eye on the Territory's projected population growth, and with a strong commitment to community will find this opportunity a rare but highly attractive one given the unique demographics of the Canberra community," Prescott said.Ideally situated in a catchment area covering more than 1.5m people -- from Goulburn to Yass, the south coast of NSW to Cooma, and the ACT/Queanbeyan combined populations -- a new national ice sports centre will have a great advantage from day one inheriting an already existing and large local user base, which includes a number of grass roots competitions as well as elite level programs.

"There is insufficient ice time for the existing competition across ice hockey, figure skating and broomball, and with projected growth of more than 10% year on year, along with an expansion into speed skating, curling, and paralympic ice sports such as sled hockey, a new twin-sheet ice sports facility is desperately needed to cope with existing demand," Prescott said.

"Chief Minister Andrew Barr announced in August 2016 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 has kept his word with us all of the way.

“We remain committed to working with potential investors and operators to achieve a new facility and encourage any interested parties who share our vision to come forward and help shape this project,” Prescott said.ACTISF believes a new national ice sports centre could be operational in 2020 following a timeline which includes community consultation, planning and design.  "The chief minister said in 2016 that construction of the facility in Canberra’s south would commence within the four year parliamentary term," Prescott said.“With the ACT government’s, Active Canberra’s and the local community’s ongoing support, we remain on track,” he added.

Further information/interviews with Tony Prescott: M 0423 024 921