IceInLine Central Inc management committee chairman Nick Loughnan said the facility had struggled with $2500 monthly electricity lines charges since 2004, but an "eleventh-hour reprieve" meant it would open in time for this year's 75th anniversary of the establishment of the Alexandra Winter Sports Club.
"The financial outlook was extremely bleak as the facility has been struggling to meet annual lines charges during the nine-month off season when the rink is closed. These charges are considerable at about $2500 per month, and with no income during the off season to help offset them, the rink's cash reserves have taken a battering," he said.
"Only with the last-minute offer of significant sponsorship from a major Otago company was the rink committee able to consider reopening the facility for the 2010 winter season," Mr Loughnan said.
Details of the sponsorship had yet to be finalised, and committee members still had to renegotiate the facility's energy contract for the coming season, he said.
"But the committee has resolved to keep the thousands of ice-users happy for another year. It is hoped we can announce arrangements of the sponsorship deal once full details have been worked through over the next two weeks... we are really optimistic about it," he said.
Mr Loughnan, of Galloway, said a full feasibility study would be commissioned to assess a proposed upgrade of the centre's aged ice-making plant and enclosing the outdoor rink, which would minimise electricity costs.
"There is an uncertain future past 2010. This sponsorship deal will, hopefully, get us through to the stage where the feas-ibility study is completed, which should give us an idea of what the long-term future of the centre is," he said.
Curlers, ice skaters, and ice hockey players use the rink, as well as 14 schools in the wider vicinity for their programmes of winter sports options.
The complex was opened in 1993.
Mr Loughnan said maintenance and upgrades of the facility - including a covered rink - were essential if it was to continue hosting tournaments and competitions.
"The ice sheet has often been at the mercy of unfavourable weather conditions, making the surface unusable at the worst possible times," he said.
