Dangerous cladding forces Erina Ice Arena to close indefinitely
The Central Coast ice rink is the latest building to confirm it was built with dangerous external cladding and will now be forced to close for at least a year, putting its long-term future at risk.
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The future of the Erina Ice Arena hangs in the balance with the arena forced to close for at least a year to replace dangerous external cladding.
Owners and managers have confirmed the popular arena will close in mid-August with improvement work scheduled to take place soon after.
A statement from Erina Ice Arena management was released today proclaiming the “sadness” staff felt to have to cease operations.
“We’re saddened at the decision to close the building and the Ice Arena,” the statement read.
“However, we recognise this has been done in the best interests of the community.
“We thank everyone for their patience and understanding while the modifications take
place.
Laws around external combustible cladding were introduced following the tragic fire at the Grenfell Tower in London in 2017, and the fire at the Lacrosse Building in Melbourne in 2014.
The laws aim to eliminate and reduce the fire safety risks posed by external combustible cladding.
“We’re continuing to talk with Lendlease about the potential to re-open once the
building modification works are complete,” the statement read.
A Lendlease spokesman said the owners of the popular shopping centre were “working with the Erina Ice Arena team to explore options around reopening the ice rink post completion of the works.”
“We apologise to the local community for any inconvenience the building’s temporary closure may cause,” he said.
“The decision to close the building to allow essential modification works couldn’t be avoided.”
A change.org petition has been launched to ask Lendlease to commit to the rink’s long-term future.
It has already gathered more than 700 signatures, and states “the future will remain uncertain until shopping centre managers Lendlease confirm they will allow the rink operators to reopen after they replace the cladding”.
The Erina Ice Arena has been a popular location on the coast for the past 15 years with young families, schools, hockey, figure skating and skate lessons.
The International Ice Hockey Canada vs. Russia series will still go ahead tomorrow and Saturday nights.
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