Docklands’ O’Brien Icehouse to open one rink amid discussions about long-term plans

A key tourist attraction is set to reopen its doors in time for the school holidays, amid discussions with the state government about its long-term future.

O'Brien’s Icehouse at Docklands is popular for Melbourne’s winter sports community. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Melbourne’s premier ice skating venue will reopen just days before Christmas.

The O’Brien Icehouse has confirmed it will reopen its door — and one of its two rinks — on December 21 “in time for the Christmas holidays”.

“Initially, only one of the two rinks will open on a restricted basis and for Public Skating only,” the venue said.

“Our discussions with the Victorian Government are continuing.”

It comes after fears the key Docklands attraction — home to Australian Ice Hockey League teams Melbourne Ice and Melbourne Mustangs — would become the latest victim of the pandemic.

Before the pandemic it attracted about 800,000 visitors annually, with features such as a 1000-seat stadium, Olympic-size rinks, rink sound and light systems and 2300 pairs of skates for hire.

A source told the Herald Sun earlier this week that the business had been “decimated” by coronavirus shutdowns, and it was unclear how it could resume operating viably with social distancing rules.

A message on the centre’s website dated November 19 said talks had been held with the state government “regarding assistance and clarification of our future business and operating model”.

The government indicated talks are continuing with O’Brien Group to support ice sports at the venue.

“Under current Last Step restrictions, the O’Brien Icehouse is permitted to open for a maximum of 150 patrons subject to density limits with a COVIDSafe plan,” a government spokesman said.

The Herald Sun understand the rinks currently don’t currently have ice and it would take 20 days to restore the ice.

Melbourne Star Observation Wheel wants government support.

Other Docklands attractions, like Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, have also pleaded for help after shutdowns wrecked business.

Melbourne Star head of operations and finance, Daniel Greenbank. said the wheel had been back operating safely for two weeks.

“While weekend visitation has been at around 50 per cent of last year, midweek when the city is still eerily quiet, our visitation has been around a quarter of what we need,” he said.

“In this period before major events return, we would really like to see some initiatives to spur Melbourne city visitation, and in particular, overnight stays to support the hospitality and tourism businesses that need guests now.”

Mr Greenbank said a voucher system was needed to encourage Victorians to stay in the city and visit tourist attractions and eateries.

Docklands Chamber of Commerce president Johanna Maxwell said the precinct was suffering from the lack of workers returning to corporate offices like NAB, ANZ and Medibank.

“Our cafes and restaurants – the day trade that the have had – there’s no point them opening because there’s just not enough residents in Docklands to sustain their viability,” she said.

Ms Maxwell said Docklands needed reactivation help, and resolution of issues like the closure of Central Pier and Harbour Explanade upgrade.

City of Melbourne economic development director Andrew Wear said that the absence of office workers meant that CBD pedestrian numbers were still down by two-thirds compared to the same time last year.

“The return of the corporate workforce to the city will be critical to the recovery of our local economy, and the city of Melbourne is advocating to the Victorian Government that it review the covid19 road map to reopening restrictions so that we can see a swift and safe return of workers to the central city,” he said in a statement to a council meeting this week.