The NSW Government has approved a Development Application (DA) to restore the iconic Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink.
The historic community facility has been shut since mid-2022 due to structural issues.
The NSW Government has committed up to $17.7 million to refurbish and modernise the centre, which currently attracts more than 1,200 skaters every week.
The Sydney South Planning Panel approved the DA, which includes a new roof, concrete ice floor and barrier system, new skate hire facilities, upgraded changing rooms and modernised spectator seating areas. New artist renderings of the redeveloped centre show the facility will be able to accommodate up to 300 people at a time.
“It is exciting to hear that this fantastic facility has been given the green light so it can serve as a rink for the Canterbury community for many years to come,” said Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper.
“The new and improved ice rink will deliver state and national bodies in figure skating and ice hockey a fantastic facility to host events at the state, national and international level.”
The ice rink – run by a not-for-profit cooperative board – also provides sports and services for many young people with disabilities with close to 100 skaters taking part in the “Inclusive Skating” program. These classes help all skaters with physical or intellectual challenges and impairments learn to skate in a supportive environment.
The former aircraft hangar was opened in 1971 and is one of only two remaining Olympic-sized ice rinks in Sydney.
Before its closure, Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink was home to more than 20 Olympic ice skaters including short-track Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury, Figure Skating Olympian Stephen Carr and aspiring Olympian Tricia Tong.
The project is expected to be complete in early 2026.
Further details about the project, funded out of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants (WSIG) program, are publicly available on the NSW Government website.
