Ice Arena (Adelaide) facts for kids
 |
|
 |
|
| Former names | Ice Arena Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice Snowdome Adelaide |
|---|---|
| Location | Thebarton, South Australia |
| Coordinates | 34°55′11″S 138°34′41″E / 34.91972°S 138.57806°E |
| Operator | SAISF |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Surface | 56 metres × 26 metres (Second rink 30m x 15m) |
| Scoreboard | LED |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1980 |
| Built | 1980-1981 |
| Opened | 17 September 1981 |
| Renovated | 1987 (Mt Thebarton) |
| Tenants | |
| Adelaide Adrenaline (AIHL) (2008–present) Adelaide Rush (AWIHL) (2006–present) Adelaide Avalanche (AIHL) (2000-2008) |
|
The IceArenA is a super cool place in Thebarton, Adelaide, South Australia, where you can enjoy all sorts of ice sports and public skating. It first opened its doors on September 17, 1981. It's the main spot for ice skating fun in South Australia, and it's also the home base for some awesome ice hockey teams like the Adelaide Adrenaline (men's team), Adelaide Rush (women's team), and Adelaide Generals (junior team).
Contents
History of the IceArenA
The IceArenA has changed quite a bit over the years! Here's a look at its journey:
Early Days: The First Ice Arena (1981)
When the centre first opened in 1981, it was called the Ice Arena. It had one big ice skating rink. This rink was even surrounded by a special track for speed skating!
Adding a Ski Slope: Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice (1987)
In late 1987, the Ice Arena closed for a big change. Workers started building the world's first indoor ski slope right inside the building! When it reopened in 1988, it had a new name: Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice. This new feature let people ski indoors on artificial snow.
To make space for the ski slope, the original rink design changed. Instead of one large rink with a speed skating track, the centre now had two ice skating rinks. There was one big rink (56 by 26 metres) and a smaller one (30 by 15 metres). After this big change, the centre changed its name again to Snowdome Adelaide.
Back to Just Ice: The IceArenA (2005)
In June 2005, the facility temporarily closed. This was because it cost a lot to run the centre, especially with the indoor ski slope. When it reopened, the indoor ski slope was gone. The centre then got its current name, IceArenA, and went back to focusing on ice sports.
Big Fixes: The 2016 Rink Closure
On March 4, 2016, the main ice rink had to close. There were problems with the pipes under the ice. The IceArenA talked with the government to find a solution.
Good news came on May 7, 2016! The main ice rink reopened. The government helped by giving a grant to buy a new, modern cooling system for the ice. Many important people came to celebrate the reopening.
Fun Activities and Events
The IceArenA is a busy place with lots to do! You can try many different activities there, including:
- Learning to play ice hockey
- Taking ice skating lessons
- Having fun during snow play sessions
- Enjoying special skating sessions during school holidays
- Celebrating birthday parties on the ice
- Joining public skating sessions
- Watching exciting ice hockey games, as it's the home for the Adelaide Adrenaline men's team and the Adelaide Rush women's team.
