The proposed Canberra Arena dream could be melting away. Photo: ACT Government.
The brinkmanship over the siting of an ice sports facility in Canberra has put the future of the multi-million dollar project in doubt.
With the Phillip ice rink due to close when Geocon wins approval to develop that part of the Phillip pool site, the ACT could be left without an ice facility for those sports, and not just hockey, that rely on it.
That particular community is understandably anxious that the development partners involved in the Canberra Arena project are opposed to the ACT Government’s selected site in Greenway and have now proposed two alternative sites – in Majura Park and, audaciously, Commonwealth Park next to the new Aquatic Centre.
The government has rejected these. Indeed, the Commonwealth Park option would have required the excising of more national land from one of the city’s most important assets for the benefit of a relatively small sporting community and a private ice hockey franchise.
The essential problems for the developers are the Greenway site’s location (being in Greenway) and its sloped terrain.
Developer spokesperson and Canberra Brave CEO Stephen Campbell believes it may serve the local area, but people will not travel from the north, and this will inhibit the growth of ice sports in the ACT.
He suggests the selection of Tuggeranong was more of a political box-ticking exercise for Labor, and there may be some truth in this.
Sport and Recreation Minister Yvette Berry is upfront about the government heeding Tuggeranong’s call for more facilities and town centre renewal.
The area’s new Labor MLAs, Taimus Werner Gibbings and Caitlin Tough, have also backed a petition from the ACT Ice Sports Federation calling on the developers to get on with delivering the Canberra Arena site in Greenway.
Mr Campbell has hit back, accusing the AISF of being out of touch with members and vowing the Canberra Brave would never go to Greenway.
He also says the $16.2 million government commitment to the project is not overly generous, pointing to the site’s development costs.
That could mean that the standoff will come down to money and how much more the government might offer to make Greenway workable.
The government says it’s not for moving on the Greenway site but wants to work with the proponent to find ways to make the project happen.
But the government could just as easily walk away from the project, and in the end may have to.
The proponent may not like the site, but suitable land is not that easy to come by. The government has facilitated a direct sale process, and the $16.2 million on the table is nothing to sneeze at, especially given the state of the budget.
A fierce advocate for his sport, Mr Campbell believes the Brave’s rising popularity puts it on a par with other big sports in Canberra and is worthy of government support.
That remains to be seen, and ice hockey isn’t the only sport involved. The government should draw a line on this financial commitment and stick to its guns on the Greenway site.
Many ratepayers will be raising their eyebrows at the $16.2 million figure, asking why the government needs to be involved at all, particularly given the niche nature of ice sports.
While the government has a role to play in community sports, our schools, hospitals and other services are under pressure. These should be the priorities. And there are many cheaper sports to support than one that requires a facility costing anywhere from $35 million to $50 million to build.
If the proponent can’t accept the deal, that’s not the government’s fault. It has bigger responsibilities to worry about.
The proponent should either get their skates on … or walk.
