13 February 2023
Australia set for first dedicated curling ice facility
Australia’s first dedicated curling ice facility has taken a giant step forward with the announcement by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government that is formally supporting a new ice sports facility, to be built in the Canberra suburb of Tuggeranong.
The facility will have two full size ice sheets which support figure skating, ice hockey, broomball, speed skating and recreational ice skating as well as a further four dedicated curling sheets.
The arena will have capacity for up to 3,600 spectators and will also include an indoor sport climbing facility for all three Olympic disciplines of lead climbing, speed climbing and bouldering.
A range of amenities will be provided for athletes and officials, including changing rooms, while there will also be a retail/pro shop, skate rental facilities, café/kiosk and restaurant, office and administration space and concession areas in the main ice rink.
ACT Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry welcomed the proposal and said it would be a wonderful asset for the growing ice sports community.
She said, “We are supporting the detailed proposal for a new $AUD 45-50 million ice sports facility put forward by Cruachan Investments Pty Ltd (Cruachan) and its development partner, Pelligra Holdings Pty Ltd (Pelligra), following an expression of interest process and the signing of a Heads of Agreement.
“This is a significant sporting infrastructure project for Tuggeranong and the ACT Government will commit $AUD 16 million towards the development”, she added.
Meanwhile, Director of Cruachan Investments Stephen Campbell said, “We are looking forward to providing a new facility of international standard that will create the perfect environment to encourage more people to participate in ice sports and provide exceptional amenities for those spectating.”
Tony Prescott, ACT Ice Sports Federation President said, “We welcome further progress towards establishing a new ice sports centre in Canberra. We anticipate the new facility will become a national centre of excellence for ice sports and a natural home for local, national and international level ice sports events.”
At this time, Cruachan and Pelligra are aiming to open the new facility in 2025.
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