Northern District Times stands with Macquarie Ice Rink against demolition
Secret plans to demolish the iconic ice rink were exposed, and now the push has started to save the rink that has had Olympians and children skate through for more than four decades.
A massive outpouring of community shock and anger has smacked down AMP Capital’s plans to demolish the iconic Macquarie Ice Rink as part of a $195 million shopping centre upgrade.
The Northern District Times uncovered the secret plan last week as part of AMP Capital’s development application for a new retail podium to replace the much-loved, Olympic-sized ice rink at Macquarie Centre.
The Times’ story went viral with thousands of shares and comments slamming the developer’s decision to tear down a community asset which has transcended the lives of many athletes, children, the disabled and those battling demons since it opened four decades ago.
Today, this newspaper stands in solidarity with the community as we launch a campaign to “Save Macquarie Ice Rink”.
A trailblazing former Winter Olympian, whose home base as an athlete, top-level coach and administrator has been at the Macquarie Park centre over the past 30 years, gave an emotional reaction yesterday when asked what the local rink meant to her.
“We all have our ups and downs in life and this ice rink always been a place where, as soon as I walk through those doors, no one can touch me,” said Monica MacDonald, who partnered Rodney Clarke in the ice-dancing event at the 1988 Calgary Olympics.
“My daughter (Chantelle Kerry) went into depression after missing out on the Sochi Olympics (in 2014) and for her the Macquarie rink was also her safe zone.
“So, what AMP needs to know is that this is more than just an ice rink. It takes the lives of everyone who skates here to a much happier place, and builds and nurtures relationships.
“This is now not just about saving a business. It’s about saving a community.”
Brendan Kerry, a figure skater who has competed for Australia at the past two Winter Olympics, echoed his mother’s sentiments.
“I’m shocked that AMP wants to bulldoze the rink,” the 24-year-old, seven-time national senior champion said from New York. “It’s just the go-to rink in Australia and I can’t imagine it not being there.
“I’m honestly not too sure as to what everyone will do or where everyone would go if it’s not there. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people would end up leaving the sport.”
There are at least five petitions being circulated to save Australia’s premier ice rink, including one on change.org which has about 30,000 signatures.
Even Premier Gladys Berejiklian weighed into the rallying calls behind the ice rink, recalling her memories of growing up in the area.
“The Macquarie Ice Rink was always a school holiday treat and we even convinced our teachers at North Ryde High to do a term of school sport there,” she said.
Devastated ice rink owner Dr Frank Gregg — who has run the business since it opened in the early 1980s — has only just given the site a $3.5 million ice-lift and now faces having to lay off dozens of staff and coaches, and disappoint the tens of thousands of people who skate on the rink each year.
“This is terribly disappointing, to say the least,” Dr Gregg, a retired doctor, said. “This rink has been a big part of the community for so long; there’s nothing else like it in Australia. I’ve been around the world and it stacks up among the cream of ice rinks anywhere.”
AMP performed a partial backflip on Friday when it said it would put the plans to bulldoze the rink — which is also home to the nation’s two biggest ice-hockey teams, Sydney Ice Dogs and Sydney Bears — back out for further community consultation.
“Our community, customers and retailers are important to us and we have listened to them. We acknowledge the outpouring of support for the ice rink and the special place it has for many,” an AMP Capital spokesman said.
It also flagged the possibly of a recreational-sized ice rink being built in the remodelled shopping centre. But Dr Gregg rubbished the claim.
“A small rink is absolutely hopeless,” he said. “It just shows you their lack of understanding of the situation.”
Ryde Council will hold an extraordinary meeting next Tuesday in preparation to take a stand against AMP’s plans, as well as investigate whether it could put an interim heritage order on the ice rink.
Dr Gregg thanked the community for their support.
“None of us will be steamrolled by a developer and the huge response has warmed my heart,” he said.
“The fight to save this local icon has only just started.”
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