Alexandra’s IceInLine has received $350,000 towards covering the Olympic sized outdoor ice rink, as part of the Central Lakes Trust (CLT) most recent funding round.

More than $1M was granted at the CLT’s August board meeting to support 11 initiatives throughout the Central Lakes region.

The grant for IceInLine is for stage three of the facility upgrade which started in 2010.

The roof will possibly extend the season by up to six weeks and should result in fewer cancelled days due to weather.

IceInLine assistant treasurer Hugh McIntyre said the roof will further lower energy costs, increase ice quality and improve lighting.

Previous improvements have been an energy efficient upgrade to the ice making plant, and the building of a new curling rink facility.

CLT chief executive Susan Finlay said CLT has worked with IceInLine since the project began, supporting all three stages over the years.

“It’s great to see the entire facility will be completely upgraded, it is a wonderful asset for

Alexandra and the wider community.”

The rink opened in 1993, and is the largest outdoor facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Skaters, curlers and ice hockey players have had a wonderful local asset, this will extend its use and benefit for the community,” she said.

Five year old novices enjoy a lesson. The rink closed on August 21, with a roof the season could be early May until the end of August. PHOTO: Central App

Another recipient was Snow Farm NZ Ltd, who received $225,000 towards the build of stage one of a new base lodge.

The build needs to be complete by next season, as the skifields’s lease is up with neighbour Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground, which owns the current Snow Farm base lodge.

Snow Farm chair ‘Q’ Samuel Belk said the snow farm had outgrown the facility, but because of the speed with which they need to get into their new build, it will complete the facility in a couple of stages.

“We are very, very, grateful for the grant, not only because it covers 25 percent of the project, but also because it kickstarts and provides leadership for the project,” Q said. 

CLT support has been critical to two other Snow Farm projects: replacing the groomer and the Musterers Hut, a 36 bed hut which will allow more schools to experience the facility.

Other Central groups also received funding in the CLT’s August round: Tarras School swimming pool resurfacing received $25,000; Millers Flat School new outside learning and play area received $49,000; Historic Clyde’s Community Art project received $20,000; Roxburgh Pool received $200,000; St Bathans Community Association memorial plinth project received $5,000; Alexandra’s Men’s Shed Trust tool replacement project received $5,000; Central Otago Search And Rescue training and equipment received $5,000. 

In total over $1M was approved at the August meeting taking the total grants approved for the financial year to date to $6.82M, from a grants budget of $12M.

In May 2022, the Central App reported $250,000 Otago Community Trust funding also earmarked for the Ice Inline roof project. Read more here.

About CLT: CLT  is the largest philanthropic trust per capita in the Southern Hemisphere. 

It supports charitable projects throughout Central Lakes to enhance the community.

Since its inception in 2000 CLT has distributed more than $118M into a wide range of community projects and services throughout the Central Lakes.