The Canberra Brave is descending on AIS Arena. It’ll be home for now, while the team waits for a world-class ice rink to be built in Tuggeranong. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Canberra Brave fans said a heartfelt goodbye to their longtime base earlier this month, ahead of the team moving into new digs at AIS Arena, which they’ll christen when they take on the Adelaide Adrenaline on Saturday (31 May).
The Brave Cave at Phillip Swimming & Ice Skating Centre has hosted Canberra’s local ice hockey all-stars since the team was born in 2014, but the 400 seats just aren’t enough for the large and passionate fan base of the reigning Goodall Cup champions.
Their new home – the AIS Arena – boasts 2700 seats in ice hockey format, making it the biggest venue in the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). It’s also the only one to offer a full ‘bowl’ experience.
A massive portable rink will soon take over the arena, ready to host Canberra Brave and its adversaries over 11 home games.
Experts from around the country and overseas converged on-site to help guide its construction, which wrapped up last Friday (23 May).
“We will miss the original Brave Cave, but AIS Arena promises to be a huge step up from the status quo,” Canberra Brave CEO Stephen Campbell says.
“There’s a lot that goes into building an ice rink from scratch. We estimate construction will take our crew of 16 around 96 hours from start to finish.”
Much of this time will be spent freezing 50,000 litres of water in thin layers to build the ice surface. Three large chillers and 11,000 litres of propylene glycol will keep everything frozen throughout the season.
Then there’s the maintenance to consider: regular resurfacing, edging and snow removal are essential to stop the ice from softening.
State-of-the-art dasher boards lining the inside of the rink allow players to put more energy into checks, increasing the physicality of the game.
One of the most significant changes will be the installation of tempered glass around the rink, which provides a clear view of the game while offering better protection for fans.
“Glass also keeps the puck in play more because it doesn’t slow or change the trajectory like wire netting,” Stephen says.
“Fewer disruptions to gameplay keep the action going and preserve that intense, electric atmosphere.”
Finally, elevated seating means fans will experience the game from an entirely new perspective. Fully catered rinkside seats, offering a unique view closest to the action, are also available.
Fans can expect matches played at AIS to be more powerful than ever. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Stephen describes the move as an opportunity unlike any other, one which will elevate the sport Canberra Brave players are so passionate about and create a world-class atmosphere for fans.
“We have plenty of fresh activities planned to get the audience involved, including an all-new Brave Tournament,” he says.
“The tournament will be held pre- or post-match on game days, allowing people of all ages to join a team and play ice hockey in a full-size arena.
“The AIS is an iconic venue that many Canberrans know well, but if you’re a casual or social player, your chances of getting to play there are effectively nil. Until now.”
He says that, although the rink is only temporary, it will usher in a new era for Australian ice hockey and increase interest in sister sports, such as broomball and figure skating.
“We’re introducing Canberra to its first North American NHL-style experience at one of the most iconic locations in the city,” he says.
“This will boost interest across the board. It’s a huge win for young sportspeople; I wouldn’t be surprised if local enrolments in junior ice sports double after the move.
“People will also travel to see us play at AIS, which effectively places Canberra at the centre of ice hockey in Australia.”
Canberra Brave is up against the Adelaide Adrenaline this weekend for its first home games at AIS Arena. Doors open an hour before puck drop; enter from 4 pm on Saturday, 31 May, and 1 pm on Sunday, 1 June. For more information and tickets, visit Canberra Brave.
