'We're not happy': AIS Arena ice rink presents concerning 'risk', peak body warns -- Canberra Times

5 April 2025

In a report in the Canberra Times, journalist Melania Dinjaski reports.

The AIS Arena becoming the new home of the Canberra Brave has been well-received by a majority of the sports-loving public in the capital, but the region's ice sports association has issued a stern warning.

ACT Ice Sports expressed concerns that the temporary ice rink facility set to transform the AIS Arena for 11 Canberra Brave games this year has the potential risk to further delay the already stalled twin-sheet ice sports facility project in Tuggeranong.

"We've got to get moving on Tuggeranong, because the risk is the AIS Arena becomes a distraction," ACT Ice Sports Federation spokesman Sandi Logan said.

"This has enormous upside with potential for growing the fanbase of the sport of ice hockey, and we support that, but the ACT Ice Sports Federation's concern is that the main proponent for the new Tuggeranong facility has had five years to put a shovel into the ground and we are still at least a year away from that.

"Our concern is that focusing on one team within one sport is going to be a distraction. It'll be an attraction for fans but a distraction to the main game - which is to get a new facility built."

Brave chief executive Stephen Campbell and business partner Ross Pelligra are also proponents of the new ice rink facility planned for Tuggeranong that will feature two international-standard ice sheets for ice hockey, figure skating, broomball, curling and speed skating.

The $50 million project's budget has blown out due to delays, but on Friday Campbell said that although the build has stalled, it is "moving in the right direction".

"The AIS Arena rink clearly demonstrates that we need two sheets of ice for a city the size of Canberra," Logan said.

"[Campbell] sees the AIS Arena venture as a complement to what he's doing in Tuggeranong. But it's not as if we're trying to build support for ice sports in Canberra - that's already there.

"That's how we got the ACT government behind us to come up with a piece of land, $16 million dollars and support this new rink being built - it's because there's an existing ice sports community in Canberra.

"[Campbell] is putting his money on the table, so we give him credit for that. There are people who would never do that and he's come up with a way he thinks will give him a better return on his investment.

"But I know what's not happening at Tuggeranong and we're not happy.

"They need to get their skates on and sharpen their blades. It's not happening quick enough."

ACT Ice Sports claimed that at a recent Cruachan Investments-Stephen Campbell briefing it was revealed that "a development application with architect's drawings and plans was expected no later than the third/fourth quarter of 2025".

Logan said ACT Ice Sports have made Campbell aware of their concerns and the Brave chief executive "understands" them, and they continue to work together on the Tuggeranong project.

Logan also praised Geocon for its efforts revitalizing the nearly half-a-century-old Phillip ice rink, estimating nearly $500,000 in upgrades that have helped the ice sports community in Canberra.

From May 31 the champion Brave side will play 11 AIHL games at the AIS Arena in a much-improved venue to their existing home since 2014 at Phillip.

At the AIS Arena, 2700 seats will be available compared to Phillip that sells out with about 1000 in attendance and seating for only 400.

Brave fans have been promised a nation-leading, high-quality game-day experience never seen before in Australia that is comparable to the NHL.