Erina Ice Arena set to reopen in January 2021

It’s the news many have been waiting for – the future of the popular Erina Ice Arena has been determined.

The future of Erina Ice Arena has been determined. Picture: Sue Graham

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The sudden closure of the Erina Ice Arena shocked the coast back in July 2019.

There were doubts about the future of the coast icon, located at Erina Fair, as it announced it would close indefinitely due to dangerous external cladding on the building.

This week, the arena revealed that works are nearing completion and the arena will open in January.

“Erina Ice Arena is proud to announce the reopening weekend Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd January 2021,” the staff posted to social media this week.

The closure forced skaters to travel outside the region. Picture: Mark Scott

“We wish to welcome back all of the Central Coast skaters who have missed ice skating during the building rectifying works.”

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.

The arena will reopen in January. Picture: Sue Graham

Soon after the closure of the arena was announced, the community rallied with a petition for the facility’s future to be secured by owners of Erina Fair Lendlease who stated that they would work with the arena to confirm its reopening.

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.