Ice sports support ACT Budget measures promoting healthy lifestyles

June 5, 2018

CANBERRA. -- Canberra’s ice sports community today welcomed the ACT Government 2018-19 Budget’s renewed commitment to facilities and services promoting healthy lifestyleS in the ACT.

ACT Ice Sports Federation president Tony Prescott said he was happy with Chief Minister Andrew Barr’s funding of a range of indoor and outdoor measures which include: support for 80 local sport and recreation providers and local professional sporting teams; fostering Canberra’s participation in elite-level sport; and funding for more than 100 high performance athletes, including 73 women across 12 sports through the ACT Academy of Sport.

“The 2018-19 Budget specifically provides $51.4m for local sport and recreation,” Prescott said. “This is on top of a range of expanded bicycle paths, bikeways and funding for various festivals, including a new festival for design, culture, coding and gaming.”

While no additional funding was allocated for the proposed national ice sports facility, the process – involving the federation and ACT Government’s Active Canberra– is making good progress.

“The ACTISF, with its member bodies in ice hockey, broomball, figure skating and the CBR Brave, has been working in close partnership with Active Canberra to develop the report,” Prescott said. “Naturally it is something about which we’re very passionate.

“While the report timeline may have stretched from initial expectations, we remain on track and focussed on delivering a quality outcome that will inform government in making the right decision for the future of Canberra’s ice sports.

“We continue to appreciate and value the support of our local politicians in bringing this critical piece of infrastructure to fruition for the benefit of the ice sports community and all Canberrans,” Prescott said.

In September 2016, the chief minister allocated $75,000 from existing funds earmarked for the development of new projects and facilities in the ACT.

“Furthermore, the innovative ACT and NSW Government-joint funding of a new rugby league training facility augurs well for a new national ice sports centre where partnership models to support sport can clearly include Territory, NSW and even Commonwealth funds,” Prescott said.

“We remain excited by Chief Minister Andrew Barr's commitment to work in partnership with us towards a facility of national and international standing,” he added.