Progress on ice sports facility a boon for the community

September 3, 2020

CANBERRA.-- The ACT Ice Sports Federation (ACTISF) today welcomed the government's announcement of the substantial progress made on plans for a new twin-sheet ice sports centre to be based in Tuggeranong.

"Our faith in the process the ACT government established from the outset has never wavered," president Tony Prescott said today.

"In the current circumstances, it speaks volumes that both the investors' and government's confidence in our proposal for a new twin-sheet ice sports centre has continued to attract significant support.

"New infrastructure for the nation's capital, be it health, education, public transport or sports facilities, is always welcome, both for the short-term benefit associated with construction jobs, as well as longer-term community participation opportunities and the economic windfalls derived from major events which will feed into the local hotel, hospitality, restaurant and tourism sectors.

"We have always been confident our proposal, which has a strong community-based orientation complemented by a business plan which includes tourism, major events, corporate functions and international competitions, would survive the pressures associated with competing infrastructure priorities.

"What we didn't plan on -- and of course no one else did either -- was COVID-19.

"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: construction jobs.

"Later, there will be further employment prospects when the facility is fully operational, and expanded family ice sports programs  covering figure skating, ice dancing, ice hockey, broomball, curling, sled-hockey, ice speed skating and of course, general recreational ice skating.

"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.

"We have always attracted  bipartisan political support; patrons Vicki Dunne MLA  joining Bec Cody MLA have been strong supporters of  a new facility," Prescott added.

The preferred site in Tuggeranong is an excellent choice already boasting existing facilities such as a hotel/motel, restaurants, bars, cafes, community club, public transport and bus interchange, major roads and most importantly, a growing concentration of families and local residents in the Tuggeranong Valley.

"We echo the government's vision that this project, once completed, will meet the needs of our growing ice sports community, create jobs and economic activity, and provide the community with a great place to cheer on the ice sports across so many disciplines," Prescott said.

"Importantly, the  proponent behind the new twin sheet  ice sports facility – Cruachan Investments – has a vision which matches all of our hopes and aspirations.

"Cruachan is  innovative in its  approach, forward thinking with its  commitment to the community, and most importantly, here for the long haul, and that's a key element for any new sports venture," he added.

Media interviews/contact: Tony Prescott, President -- ACTISF   

M: 0468 596 103

*Note: Cruachan is pronounced: “Crew-Ann”