AusLeisure

The Rink, Singapore Sports Council (SSC)'s first community ice rink, has grown to be a popular sports destination with residents and the business community.

Located in the new JCube shopping mall in Jurong East and managed by CapitaMalls Asia, Singapore's first Olympic-size ice rink has attracted over 80,000 members of the community since its soft opening on 2nd April this year.

Now the Rink has been officially opened by Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, together with Members of Parliament, as well as Government Parliamentary Committee members for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vikram Nair and Alex Yam.

Speaking at the opening Deputy Prime Minister Tharman stated "ice skating is turning out to be popular amongst both young and old, and a great family activity ... another reason why Jurong has become a place for fun and relaxation."

A national Learn-to-Skate program has been rolled out at The Rink since May 2012 to equip participants, from young children to seniors, with foundational skills in ice skating through a progressive five-week course. The program, which is developed by the Singapore Ice Skating Association (SISA), in collaboration with the Singapore Ice Hockey Association (SIHA), is also offered through schools under the Sports Education Program.

Registration for the Learn-to-Skate program has been overwhelming with close to 500 sign-ups and existing classes fully booked, while new sessions have been added to meet future demand. In addition, more than 250 participants are taking part in the first ice hockey league held at the facility. The Rink also provides an added dimension of fun and entertainment to guests in the form of disco-themed ice skating sessions on the first and third Fridays of every month.

SSC Chairman Richard Seow added "whether you are a beginner or a seasoned skater, the rink encompasses many opportunities for everyone to have a unique sporting experience. Regular programmes such as Learn-to-Skate, ice hockey activities and the fortnightly disco-themed sessions make for a fun and exciting time on ice during which the whole family can enjoy themselves."

Located at the heart of JCube shopping mall on Level 3, the ice rink measures 30 metres by 60 metres and is designed to host recreational skating, figure skating, speed skating and ice hockey.

With its 460-seat gallery, mall-goers can get close to the action on the rink and can enjoy the only rink-side dining experience in Singapore.

Seow added "in our new Sport Facilities Master Plan under Vision 2030, we are looking at increasing the variety and accessibility of our sports facilities island-wide. The rink's close proximity to a public transport hub and strategic location within a shopping mall makes it a convenient place for everyone to engage in a sporting activity as part of their daily life."

The Rink is the first sports facility developed under the Community/Sports Facilities Scheme (CSFS), which encourages the integration of community or sports facilities in private commercial developments for mutual benefit. As part of the scheme, The Rink best serves the interest of the general public based on its non-profit operating model, whereby all revenue generated will be re-invested into the operational and programming aspects of the facility. 

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