The iconic Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink will get a major upgrade and restoration with the NSW Government executing a grant for $17.7 million to ensuring the training ground for many Australian Winter Olympians will remain for many decades to come.
Funded through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, the Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink Roof and Amenities Upgrade Project will deliver:
- a new roof structure,
- new change rooms,
- a concrete new modern ice floor and barrier system,
- new skate hire facilities, and
- upgraded spectator seating areas.
The Canterbury Ice Rink has served as the home for more than 20 Olympic ice skaters, including short track Olympic Gold medallist, Steven Bradbury, 2014 Ice Dance Olympians Danielle O’Brien and Greg Merriman, and Australia’s first indigenous Winter Olympics athlete, Harley Windsor.
The upgrades that are being undertaken will ensure this Western Sydney institution is one of the best ice rinks in Australia and provide the next generation of Olympic hopefuls with the facilities to fulfil their dreams.
Over 120,000 visitors per year are expected to utilise the facility.
The Government will now work with The Ice-Skating Club of New South Wales to deliver this much needed upgrade, with construction to commence in late-2024.
Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis MP said “the project will deliver huge benefits, including local jobs, programs for local school students, as well as an inclusive skating program for skaters with intellectual and physical disabilities.”
“Since the closure of the facility, skaters from the area have been travelling hours across Sydney, even to Canberra of a weekend, to train. Come mid-2026 this will no longer be the case, with this wonderful facility back up-and-running in our own backyard,” Ms Cotsis added.
“This is huge win, a big congratulations to our community for this hard-fought achievement.”
NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper added the state government was excited to restore the facility “so it can serve as a rink for the Canterbury community for many years to come.”
To find out more about The Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program visit the NSW Grants and Funding Infrastructure Program.
