Ice Arena (Adelaide)

The Ice ArenA, located in Thebarton, Adelaide, South Australia first opened on 17 September 1981 as the Ice Arena. In late 1987, the centre closed for the construction of the world's first indoor ski slope and reopened later that year as Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice. The centre underwent a further name change to Snowdome Adelaide. Most recently, following the closure of the Ski Slope in 2005, a final name change to Ice ArenA was made.

History

The centre first opened with two ice skating rinks (one large 56×26m rink and one smaller 30×15m surface) in 1981. The indoor snow slope was added in 1987.^[1]

The facility temporarily closed in June 2005 due to the running costs of the centre, but has since reopened minus the indoor slope. The financial strain was due to poor management^{[citation needed]}, from the privatisation of utilities, electricity and water from the government, and also increases in the cost of public liability insurance.^[2]

Public Skating Information

The general public skating times include:
- Monday to Friday from 10.00am - 4.00pm
- Wednesday Night from 7.00pm - 9.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm - 4.00pm
- 'The Fridge' sessions Friday and Saturday nights from 7.30pm - 11.00pm
- Public Holidays from 12.00pm - 4.00pm.

Adelaide Ice Sports Academy

The Adelaide Ice Sports Academy offers a wide range of ice skating lessons including the following programs:
- Junior Academy (3–7 years)
- Learn to Skate Academy (8 years - Adult)
- Adult Academy
- Future Stars Academy
- Synchronized Skating Academy
- Ice Hockey Academy

Lessons are 55 minutes duration (20–45 minutes for Juniors). The Learn to Skate Academy, Freestyle Academy and Ice Hockey Academy courses also include practices during public sessions and other specified times.

These lessons are based on the Aussie Skate Program which has been specifically designed to suit the needs of all people wanting to ice skate. It uses a series of graded tests with merit awards, allowing newcomers to the sport to progress at their own pace to whatever level they choose. All skaters enrolled in the Adelaide Ice Sports Academy classes are automatically members of Aussie Skate.

Silver Blades Figure Skating Club

The Silver Blades Figure Skating Club (SBFFC) provides opportunities for skaters to compete in Club competitions on a regular basis. Skaters can enter these competitions from the completion of the Basic 1 assessment and above. Competing in competitions requires the skater to be a member of the Club. The SBFFC sells skating accessories at the Ice ArenA on Saturday mornings.

References

1. ^ "Snowdome Adelaide". Snow 365. http://www.snow365.com:9673/snow365/findslope/Oceania/australia/aus_snowdomes/dome_adelaide. Retrieved 2006-11-21. 
2. ^ "World's First Snowdome Closes". Ski Press World. 16 June 2005. http://www.skipressworld.com/eu/en/daily_news/2005/06/worlds_first_snowdome_closes.html. Retrieved 2006-11-21. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• Ice ArenA official site
• Ice Skating Australia

Coordinates: 34°55′11″S 138°34′41″E / 34.91972°S 138.57806°E / -34.91972; 138.57806