One of Western Sydney's last remaining ice rinks will be given a second chance at life after being awarded more than $17 million to cover much-needed repairs.
Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink was shut in August last year after structural engineers found the roof at risk of collapse after a loud noise prompted management to clear the building.
The rink, an old aircraft hangar, was built in 1971 and has seen Olympians and amateur skaters pass through, including former Sochi 2014 ice dancer Danielle O'Brien.
Ms O'Brien is now the director of not-for-profit Ice Skating NSW that runs the rink and said the $17.7 million grant awarded to the rink would go towards a "total upgrade".
"We have engaged a project manager already and we've sort of started to kick start the engagement with the key stakeholders," Ms O'Brien said.
"We're hopeful that we can now put that into a higher gear and lock down architectural drawings."
As part of the upgrade, the rink will see most of the existing structure demolished and rebuilt, with five new change rooms, a new ice surface, additional seating, and a grandstand, along with the new roof.
"It is an ageing and unsafe rink, and the real heart of the rink comes from the community ... I think a lot of people would have a lot to say about some of the downfalls of the existing buildings. So I think it's optimistic in a way that we won't have the old building there," she said.
A grassroots community action campaign petitioned the NSW government to intervene in the rink's closure.
Videos of athletes and sporting leaders wanting the rink saved were published online, along with a petition that garnered 9,906 signatures.
"Please get behind Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink in Sydney," Nathan Walker said, the first Australian to play in the National Hockey League in the United States.
"Please get on your local member and sign our petition to keep my old rink going."
Funding ultimately came through the $5 billion WestInvest program, from the NSW government's plan to improve infrastructure in 15 Western Sydney council areas.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said the rink was one of 34 projects in Parramatta, Canterbury, Burwood, and Strathfield that were accepted in the most recent round of funding, announced on Wednesday.
"These new amenities will support our state and national athletes and provide a safe and affordable skating space for the community,” Mr Kean said.
He said the upgrade would allow the facility to "continue to operate for the next 50 years".
Ms O'Brien said the grant application had consumed her life for several months while working to get the rink funded with garage sales and market days.
"We've all been at different rinks to keep skating, but it just hasn't been home," she said.
"It's a huge sense of relief and I feel like it's a massive accomplishment. I'm really proud to have been behind the application and behind the cause."
The next steps of development will begin in the coming months, but Ms O'Brien said she was most looking forward to sharing the news with the community, with more than 120,000 visitors a year likely to return when the upgrades are completed.
"Everyone's been asking every day. 'Any update, any news on WestInvest funding?' This is a huge day and I think there'll be some big celebrations."
Ms O'Brien said the doors would likely reopen to the updated rink in late 2024.
