Marion on ice as developer names preferred site for a $25 million recreation centre in the south

A $25 MILLION recreation centre complete with two rinks for ice-skating, sports such as hockey and curling, and a rock-climbing wall, could be on its way to Marion.

A $25 MILLION recreation centre complete with two rinks for ice-skating, sports such as hockey and curling, and a rock-climbing wall, could be on its way to Marion.

Ice Rinks Adelaide — the company behind a $40 million centre in Adelaide’s north — is pushing a similar project for land next to the Club Marion sporting and recreation hub on Sturt Rd.

The company’s director, Stephen Campbell, has approached Marion Council about his proposal, which — if approved — would replace 9000sq m of underused croquet space.

The council this week voted to call for expressions of interest from all sports or community groups interested in buying or leasing the site and developing it for recreational use.

Its move was prompted by Mr Campbell’s proposal, which he said would mirror his Playford Arena complex in Elizabeth, but “on a slightly smaller scale”.

Artist’s impression of Ice Rinks Adelaide’s proposed Playford Arena ice-skating venue.

Mr Campbell said he was interested in four sites for a southern Adelaide centre, but Marion was at the top of the list, boasting good links to transport and the “market pull” of nearby Westfield shopping centre.

“We’d have two Olympic-size sheets of ice — one dedicated to sports uses and one for recreational skating and an area for rock climbing,” he said.

“We also have plans for one or two activities that the site lends itself to, so there’s a little surprise in that.”

Adelaide needed more ice rinks to cater for demand for sports including hockey, curling, figure skating, speed skating and broomball, he said.

“The north and south are growing, and if we really want to accommodate young people and get them involved in activity, healthy choices like rock climbing and skating, you need to put new facilities where the growth is occurring,” he said.

If the Marion project was approved, it would cost roughly $25 million, holding 600-1200 spectators. The Elizabeth centre can hold 4000.

Investors would help fund the Marion centre, which Mr Campbell hoped would open in the first half of 2020 — about the same time as the northern centre. That project has been boosted by a $10 million State Government loan.

Marion Council city development manager Abby Dickson said the council had “a very high-level discussion” with Ice Rinks Adelaide.

The council on Tuesday night voted behind closed doors to seek expressions of interest for the croquet site.

“At this stage, it’s about testing the market to see what the opportunities are,” Ms Dickson said. “It’s important to have an open market process to ensure we get the best outcome for the community.”

The council would work with Marion Croquet Club, which calls the courts home, to discuss its future and potentially help it find a new home.

Club secretary Glenna Bulley said poor playing surfaces, caused by the wrong grass being planted back in 1981, had made it difficult to attract and retain players.

Mrs Bulley said she would “look to the heavens” in the hope its ageing members could keep playing instead of “staying in nursing homes and watching TV”.

“I hope the council can do something and get us over this hurdle,” she said.

The council will seek expressions of interest for the land from June 5.

It would then consider the proposals after the local government elections in November.