Canterbury Ice Rink thrown $18 million lifeline

By ERIN MODARO

The Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink has been given a second chance after closing it’s doors last year. NSW Treasurer Matt Kean announced yesterday that the government will give more than $17 million to the rink so that it can reopen.

The funding is part of 34 WestInvest projects aimed at delivering infrastructure to Western suburbs through supporting local councils.

Canterbury Ice Rink has been thrown an $18m lifeline by the Liberals and Nationals Government.

It’s part of the $532m awarded to local councils and community groups in Parramatta, Cumberland, Burwood, Strathfield, Fairfield and Canterbury Bankstown for 34 WestInvest projects. pic.twitter.com/cNfj8JwrE9

— Matt Kean MP (@Matt_KeanMP) February 8, 2023

“WestInvest is delivering critical infrastructure for communities and is further proof that only a Liberal and Nationals Government has a plan to deliver a better future for the people of NSW,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said.

Rink forced to close due to structural damage

Kean said the ice rink will allowed the well-loved venue to remain open, after the rink was forced to close in August last year due to structural damage in the roof. The news that the rink would close was met with outrage from skaters and local users of the rink.

Concerned community members organised a rally and an online petition in October of last year calling on the state government to save the rink.

Save Canterbury Ice Rink!

That was the very clear message as hundreds turned out to show their support at a rally over the weekend.

Let’s hope the NSW Government, which is already skating on thin ice, listens and supports their application under the WestInvest funding scheme. pic.twitter.com/C8sz8w6f3f

— Khal Asfour (@khal_asfour) October 9, 2022

“Apart from the public impact where parents depend heavily on the Rink for entertainment, fitness and sport the ice hockey team, speed skaters, synchronised ice skaters, singles, doubles are also impacted,” the petition read.

Built out of an old airplane hangar in 1971, Canterbury Ice Rink is one of Sydney’s few remaining Olympic sized rinks, which is used for training by Olympians and aspiring ice skaters. The rink sees more than 120,000 visitors each year.

When it was closed, athletes who relied on the rink to train were forced to travel long distances to find other appropriate venues to use. Figure skating Olympian Danielle O’Brien was a vocal campaigner in the fight to save the rink.

Kean said the funding will go towards fixing the damage in the roof and allow the rink to reopen to the public.

““The funding will deliver a much needed new roof, a concrete ice floor and barrier system. These new amenities will support our state and national athletes and provide a safe and affordable skating space for the community,” he said.

Canterbury Ice Rink officials hope to see the rink up and running again by late 2024.