Grant facilitates ice rink upgrade

Alexandra's IceInLine sporting complex. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The final stage of the Iceinline skating rink in Alexandra has received a big boost.

In its latest funding round, Central Lakes Trust announced a grant of $350,000 to Iceinline Central yesterday.

It will be stage three of the group’s plans to upgrade the facility which will provide a roof for the skating rink.

The refurbishments started in 2010 with an upgrade to the ice-making plant, making it much more energy efficient.

Hugh McIntyre.

Stage two was the building of a new curling rink facility, and stage three will cover the outdoor facility in an effort to extend the rink’s season by up to six weeks.

It also promised to have fewer cancelled days due to weather, Iceinline Central Inc assistant treasurer Hugh McIntyre said.

"It will further lower energy costs and increase ice quality as well as improving lighting," Mr McIntyre said.

Central Lakes Trust chief executive Susan Finlay said the trust had worked with Iceinline since the project began, supporting all three stages over the years.

"It’s great to see the entire facility will be completely upgraded, it is a wonderful asset for Alexandra and wider community," she said.

Susan Finlay.

The rink was opened in 1993, and was the largest outdoor facility in the southern hemisphere.

"Skaters, curlers and ice hockey players have had a wonderful local asset," she said.

"This will extend its use and benefit for the community."

In other grants, Snow Farm NZ Ltd received $225,000 towards stage one of their new base lodge. The build needed to be complete by next season, as its lease was up with neighbour Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, which owns the current Snow Farm base lodge.

The snow farm had outgrown the facility, but because of the speed in which it needs to get into its new build, the facility will be completed in a couple of stages.

The grant will cover 25% of the project. The trust has also supported replacing a groomer and helping with the construction of the Musterers Hut.

Tarras School received $25,000 for the resurfacing upgrade of their local swimming pool. The pool was a valued local community asset, and keeping it going meant the pupils and the community at large had a safe place to swim.

The school has a roll of 22, expected to grow to 26 by the start of 2023.

Millers Flat School received $49,000 towards its new outside learning and play area replacing the 30 to 40-year-old playground, which is no longer fit-for-purpose as it does not meet today’s health and safety standards.

In total, more than $1million was approved for the August funding round, taking the total grants approved for the financial year to date to $6.82million, from a grants budget of $12million.