Erina Ice Arena reopens after removal of external cladding

The Erina Ice Arena on the NSW Central Coast has reopened after a 15-month refurbishment.

Closed in August 2019 for the removal of external cladding found to be a serious safety risk after the same cladding caused major fires in London and Melbourne in the last five years, the venue was reopened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday 2nd January.

With the operators lease terminated and amid initial fears that the ice skating facility would not reopen, building owners Lendlease undertook the urgent repairs during 2020. 

With a new lease holder now in place, the reopened facility held three sessions on the opening day, each one limited to 250 skaters due to COVID-19 restrcitions.

With each session was sold out, Erina Ice Arena’s new Business Manager, Christine Leghorn said she was excited about the reopening.

Leghorn told the Coast Community News “my family now owns the business, leasing the premises from Lendlease.

“My entire family background is in figure skating, both competing and teaching.

“My sister and I were competitors growing up and competed internationally as young adults.

“As teachers, we have taken groups of children overseas to compete as well.”

Leghorn said the walls of the rink had been completely removed and replaced to comply with safety and building regulations and some cosmetic changes had also been made.

She added “so many people have been looking forward to the reopening.

“Figure skaters have had to go elsewhere to train and (ice) hockey players have also been forced to find other venues.

“And, of course, all the local children just want to have fun on the ice.”

“We intend to grow the business and look forward to seeing what we can put in place and offer to the local community.”

Images: Christine Leghorn/Erina Ice Arena/Facebook.