Alexandra's IceInLine sporting complex will be open this
winter, but managers remain uncertain about the facility's
long-term future. Photo by Rosie Manins.
Alexandra's outdoor ice rink and sporting complex will
open this winter despite an uncertain long-term future due to
crippling power costs.
IceInLine Central Inc management committee chairman Nick
Loughnan said the facility had struggled with $2500 monthly
electricity lines charges since 2004, but an "eleventh-hour
reprieve" meant it would open in time for this year's 75th
anniversary of the establishment of the Alexandra Winter
Sports Club.
"The financial outlook was extremely bleak as the facility
has been struggling to meet annual lines charges during the
nine-month off season when the rink is closed. These charges
are considerable at about $2500 per month, and with no income
during the off season to help offset them, the rink's cash
reserves have taken a battering," he said.
"Only with the last-minute offer of significant sponsorship
from a major Otago company was the rink committee able to
consider reopening the facility for the 2010 winter season,"
Mr Loughnan said.
Details of the sponsorship had yet to be finalised, and
committee members still had to renegotiate the facility's
energy contract for the coming season, he said.
"But the committee has resolved to keep the thousands of
ice-users happy for another year. It is hoped we can announce
arrangements of the sponsorship deal once full details have
been worked through over the next two weeks... we are really
optimistic about it," he said.
Mr Loughnan, of Galloway, said a full feasibility study would
be commissioned to assess a proposed upgrade of the centre's
aged ice-making plant and enclosing the outdoor rink, which
would minimise electricity costs.
"There is an uncertain future past 2010. This sponsorship
deal will, hopefully, get us through to the stage where the
feas-ibility study is completed, which should give us an idea
of what the long-term future of the centre is," he said.
Curlers, ice skaters, and ice hockey players use the rink, as
well as 14 schools in the wider vicinity for their programmes
of winter sports options.
The complex was opened in 1993.
Mr Loughnan said maintenance and upgrades of the facility -
including a covered rink - were essential if it was to
continue hosting tournaments and competitions.
"The ice sheet has often been at the mercy of unfavourable
weather conditions, making the surface unusable at the worst
possible times," he said.
- rosie.manins@odt.co.nz
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