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The Sydney South Planning Panel has approved the Development Application to restore the Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink with upgrades including a new roof, concrete ice floor and barrier system, new skate hire facilities, upgraded changing rooms and modernised spectator seating areas.

The NSW Government has committed up to $17.7 million to refurbish and modernise the centre with new artist renderings of the redeveloped centre showing the facility will be able to accommodate up to 300 people at a time.

Once complete, these upgrades will bring the ageing facility, constructed more than five decades ago, up to modern competition standards and ensure this Sydney institution is one of the best ice rinks in Australia, providing 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. Over 1200 skaters will use the facility each week with 1,000 students set to regularly visit the rink through the School Sport Program.

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.

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