Canterbury Ice Rink: Plans revealed for redevelopment after structural woes forced site into closure

The future of one of Sydney’s last remaining ice skating rinks has been revealed after its sudden closure forced skaters to train on carparks and left some unable to compete professionally.

The closure of one of Sydney’s last remaining ice rinks has resulted in ice skaters forced to train on roller boards in asphalt car parks – but there’s finally hope they could soon be welcomed back on the ice.

More than two years after the sudden closure of the Canterbury Ice Rink, the NSW Government has approved plans to revive and reopen the five-decade old skating facility with new and upgrading features including spectator seating areas and skate hire facilities.

The approval comes more than two years after the site was forced to close due to major structural and safety issues in the roof.

For many ice skaters, the closure in August 2022 has left them with few other locations to hone their skills with just four other ice rinks across the entire greater Sydney region.

Canterbury Ice Hockey Club president Austin Matthews said some of the club’s dedicated ice skaters had been forced to train on rollerblades in local carparks due to the shortage of alternative skating facilities in the city’s west.

A concept image of the redeveloped facility.

He said the closure has also resulted in players unable to compete in the semi-professional Australian Ice Hockey League, resulting in some skaters having to move interstate.

“Some of our members have been able to continue training but the issue has been they face long travel times because the only other facilities in Sydney are in Mascot, Olympic Park, Liverpool and Macquarie Park,” Mr Matthews said.

“A lot of people have stopped the sport altogether because of the distances and unfortunately we’ve also had to fold our juniors team.

“The shortage of ice time means the two Australian Ice Hockey League teams in Sydney haven’t been able to compete this year and it means (some skaters) haven’t been able to compete.”

Australian ice skating Olympian Danielle O’Brien said the closure of the rink had also impacted the growth of the sport in Sydney’s west.

A concept image of the redevelopment.

“The community is suffering because while there are other ice rinks, the demand on those facilities is greater which means there’s less ice time that skaters can get,” she said.

“I’m really hopeful the reopening will revive the sport. While ice skating doest get a big following in Australia, I think some of the big ice events coming up including the Winter Olympics next year will generate new interest from people wanting to try the sport.

“The big question is how quickly it can be built.”

The NSW Government has given the final approval for the redevelopment.

The upgrade of the facility has been bankrolled by $17.7m in NSW Government funding and also includes change rooms and areas for events such as birthday parties.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council has supported the redevelopment, describing it as a “critical” project for the community.

“The continuation of the facility is considered to be in the public interest and suitable for the site, complementing the adjacent Canterbury Leisure and Aquatics Centre and the other sporting facilities in the wider Tasker Park precinct,” the council stated.

Approved plans show the upgraded facility will have capacity for 300 people at a time with approval to operate from 5.30am – 11.30pm, seven days a week.

The approval comes after more than more than 9000 people signed a petition which had called on the NSW Government to support the reopening of the facility.