MEDIA RELEASE

NICK XENOPHON M.L.C.

INDEPENDENT NO POKIES MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL  

 27 June 2004

ICY IRONY: SOUTH AUSTRALIA THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO HAVE A COMPETITION ICE SKATING RINK A CENTURY AGO - SET TO BE THE ONLY STATE WITHOUT ONE FROM NEXT MONTH

ON THIN ICE

·        The looming closure of the Ice Arena next month spells disaster for the future of Ice Sports in SA – and for an activity based venue that gets 300,000 visitations per year (second only to the Zoo).

·        Plea for State Government to provide assistance and prevent the loss of a vital recreational and sports facility for young and disabled people in SA.

·        Ice Sports component for 2007 Police and Firemen International Games hosted by Adelaide in jeopardy – with the potential loss of 1,000 ice hockey players going to the Eastern States (with a loss of up to $5 million to the State).

South Australia faces being the only State not to have a competition ice skating rink from next month with the looming closure of the Snowdome Ice Arena at Thebarton.

An ‘Ice Expo’ today (Sunday 27 June 2004) at the Ice Arena aims to showcase the diversity and importance of Ice Sports to South Australia as part of a campaign to get State Government and community support to stop the State losing its only competition ice skating rink, and one of the most utilised recreational facilities for young people in SA.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend by giving a gold coin donation as part of an ‘Open Day’ at the Ice Arena (with proceeds going to help keep Ice Sports in SA).  The morning programme runs from 10.30am–12.15pm , with the afternoon programme from 4.15pm – 6.15pm .  The morning programme includes curling/ sledge hockey from 10.30am–10.45am ; broom ball from 10.50am–11.05am ; figure 11.10am–11.25am ; synchro-skating from 11.30am–11.45am and pee wee ice hockey from 11.50am–12.15pm.

A spokesperson for the South Australian Ice Sports Federation, prominent Adelaide barrister Maree Shaw QC fears the end of the lease for the Ice Arena on 18 July 2004 could spell the beginning of the end of Ice Sports in South Australia .

“The irony here is that South Australia was the first state to have a competition ice skating rink – competitive ice skating in Australia began in our State 100 years ago – yet we face being the only State to be without a competition ice skating rink from next month”.

“With visitations to the Ice Arena second to the Zoo, Ice Sports play a key role in our community, particularly for young people and for the disabled (especially with sledge hockey).”

“Already tournaments have had to be cancelled in South Australia this year because of imminent closure.  It means that the 1000 plus ice sport competitors will have to play ice hockey interstate, resulting in a significant loss of revenue, and quite frankly an embarrassment to the State.  But most importantly hundreds of thousands of young South Australians will lose this much utilised and much loved healthy recreational activity.”

“That embarrassment would be compounded with the Police and Fire International Games to be held in Adelaide in 2007 worth $30 million to $40 million to the South Australian economy.  Approximately 1,000 ice hockey players are expected worth up to $5 million to the State, but without an ice skating rink they will all have to go interstate.”

The South Australian Ice Sports Federation is pushing to maintain the existing rink facility or to establish a new facility as a matter of urgency.  It has been in discussions with the Government but has yet to obtain any commitment it to save Ice Sports in the State.  The Federation is seeking funding of up to $400,000 from the Government and from the private sector to save Ice Sports.

 “The figure being sought to save Ice Sports in the State is incredibly modest when you consider what the State will lose in revenue and its reputation by being the only State not to have competition ice skating facilities.  And from the community’s perspective there will be a loss that will be felt by all young South Australians”.