Iceinline had asked the board for a financial contribution towards a $4 million to $5 million covered ice rink facility and heat-sharing plant so heat produced in the cooling of ice could be used to heat the pool at the Molyneux Aquatic Centre and effectively save both organisations money.
Iceinline president Graham McNabb said the incorporated society was applying to several other funders, including the Lottery Grants Board and the Central Lakes Trust. The society was trying to get as much funding as possible from those funders and would not be entering into debt.
The previous board had agreed to the plan in principle, including funds of up to $1.5 million, subject to public consultation.
It received 85 submissions, all of which were in favour, which surprised some board members.
Any board money put towards the proposal would not cause a rates increase as energy cost savings would be used to fund repayments of the board's loan.
As all the submissions were in favour, the board took special consideration of any risks involved but decided the benefit would outweigh potential risks.
Mr McNabb said they had been ''on a mission'' to roof the rink and extend the season from three to six months for about 10 years. The society had also suggested the rink be relocated to a site next to the pool when the pool was built in 2003.
Board member James Armstrong said ''it should have been done when the pool was built. We're just picking up the pieces now''.
Mr McNabb said the society was excited about the future and saw this as being the start of ''the so-called Molyneux Park development''.
The new ice facility might have three rinks, including a small outside one to retain its point of difference, but the society was still working through concept plans, he said.
The board unanimously confirmed its support and approved up to $15,000 to assist in the development of design options to potentially allow other users to connect to the plant and make use of the waste heat.
Concept designs and a business case will need to be accepted by the board before it gives the society any more money.
The board also invited proposals for the use of the old ice rink facility.
