By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A SPORTING company approved to develop a competition ice rink in Pakenham has refused to confirm if it will still go ahead with the project more than a year on from landing a council permit.
Australian Ice Sports, approved to build a 60metre x 30metre ice rink on vacant land in Bald Hill Road, has nine months left to begin construction of the ice hockey rink.
The conditions were laid down by Cardinia Shire Council, which granted approval to the major sport and recreational site in December 2014.
The Gazette has made repeated attempt to understand if the project will still go ahead, but have been frosted out by Australian Ice Sports.
The uncertain future of the project has residents concerned.
Sean Demos, a former competitive state and national hockey player, hopes the rink will go ahead.
He said the sport provides a healthy recreational outlet to young people who may not have found their footing in other popular sports such as football.
“It has been a wonderful outlet to help me with my depression and anxiety. I have also met some amazing people through ice hockey and have been able to help builds kids confidence and self-esteem when they have been shunned by footy clubs due to their ‘clicky’ nature,” he explained.
The application was for an ice rink to be built on a vacant plot, at 270 Bald Hill Road.
It was planned to host Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) games, catering up to 800 spectators during peak times.
If the ice arena does go ahead, it will need to begin construction before December this year, for completion in two years.
