New ice skating rink attraction for Bendigo City Centre

Bendigo’s Hargreaves Mall will be converted into a winter wonderland for the upcoming school holidays with the ‘Stars on Ice’ attraction featuring a pop-up mobile ice skating rink in the middle of the Mall from 28th June  -14th  July.

This exciting installation measures 20 metres x 10 metres. The rink will be open daily, 10am - 9pm, skate sessions run for 45 minutes and start on the hour, last session at 8pm.

Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf said the Mall was the perfect location for ice skating and enthused "we are delighted to announce this new activation for the Mall and look forward to it bringing a range of people, day and night, into the city centre.

"We cannot wait to see our community take to the ice and really encourage Mall traders to plan for this installation and consider how they can help contribute to a fantastic winter festival atmosphere, similar to what we see in many North American and European cities, while the rink is open. It will be like our very own Christmas in July."

At the same time, Rosalind Park will also host what has become a winter tradition of a light show throughout the park.

Electric Wonderland will run from 28th June – 14th July, which will feature light installations that celebrate the Lunar Year of the Dragon, gastronomy, interactive pathways, laser lights, thousands and thousands of fairy lights, and a 40 metre replica of the Sacred Heart Cathedral.

Mayor Metcalf added "Over several years, Electric Wonderland has developed into a must-see attraction and has become a beacon for winter fun during the school holidays. It's wonderful to see it reimagined each year and I can't wait to see how organisers present another fantastic show for our community.”

Electric Wonderland will be open daily, Sunday to Thursday 6pm to 9pm, and Friday and Saturday 6pm to 10pm.

Pricing for Stars on Ice and Electric Wonderland experiences will be priced individually, although organisers are working on a joint ticketing offer. More details will be shared closer to the time.

To fit the ice skating rink into the Mall, the pop up park in the centre of the Mall will be removed. This was always considered a temporary installation.

When the ice skating activation is complete, new, permanent landscaping will be installed in the centre of the Mall and bring instant greenery, shade, plants and seating.

It will feature a large synthetic grassed area and three unique shade canopy structures that also light up at night, helping to soften and cool the area.

Playful pops of colour in the form of new tables, seating and umbrellas will brighten up the Mall, together with beautiful new garden beds framed in a sustainable wood-blend product that also acts as further seating.

A stage, including disability access and umbrellas, will be incorporated into the landscaping and can host entertainers and support events in the Mall.

Mayor Metcalf continued "This is an action within the City of Greater Bendigo's Hargreaves Mall Action Plan and responds to feedback from the community and traders wanting more colour, shade and softness in the area.

"All components of the landscaping will be built offsite and installation is expected to take about a week and be delivered in August 2024."

The landscaping has been designed by Plantabox following a public tender process. The project will cost approximately $500,000, which is accommodated within an existing budget that was previously allocated to construct a shade pavilion.

In September 2023, Council agreed for these and other funds to be redirected towards landscaping and other initiatives to implement the Hargreaves Mall Action Plan.

Ticket prices include skate hire and will cost $24 adult (16 years and above), $19 child/concession (6-15 years), $15 toddler (2-5 years), $68 family (2 adults/2 children or 1 adult/3 children), groups of 10 or more is $18 per person and penguin pal hire (to help new skaters find their feet) is $10.

Key dates:

• Early June - removal of pop-up park

• June 25 - 28 - bump in for ice skating rink

• June 28 - July 14 - ice skating rink open

• June 28 - July 14 - Electric Wonderland in Rosalind Park

• July 14 - 15 - bump out ice skating ring

• August - install new landscaping

Image. Ice skating Credit: pexels cottonbro