Start made on big ice rink

Press, 31 August 1984, Page 5

Start made on big ice rink

The builders moved on to the site of one of Christchurch’s proposed inter-national-size ice-skating rinks yesterday. They are expected to complete the 2917 sq m rink for Big Apple, Ltd, in plenty of time for the planned opening on April 1 next year. The 56m by 26m rink, in Opawa, will be housed in one of the biggest “clearspan” buildings in Christchurch. The developer, Mr John Vryenhoek, said the

span between the supporting columns would be 35m.

As well as the Olympicsized rink, the $2.7 million complex will feature a viewing stand for 600, coffee bar, skate shop, skates for hire, store rooms, and icereservicing equipment. Competition skaters will also be catered for with dressing rooms, showers, and toilet facilities. The building will be decorated inside to invoke a wintry alpine atmosphere. The carpeting used for soundproofing the walls would depict a mountain scene, with fire escapes made to look like railway tunnels going into the mountains, said Mr Vryenhoek. Skaters will be able to glide to the sound and lighting effects controlled by a disc jockey. The rink will eventually be part of a family leisure complex on the 3.2 ha site bounded by Ensors Road, Opawa Road, and Raycroft Street.