The AIS Arena as an ice rink? Team makes 'game-changer' move that will stun fans
The team has announced a surprising move to convert the AIS Arena into an ice rink, leaving fans stunned. This decision is being hailed as a 'game-changer' by many in the sports community. The transformation of the arena is expected to bring a new level of excitement and entertainment to fans. Stay tuned for more updates on this unexpected development.
The Canberra Brave are saying goodbye to the chicken wire, netting, and limited capacity of the Phillip Ice Skating Centre after the announcement that the team will now call the AIS Arena home. From May 31, the reigning Australian Ice Hockey League champions will play 11 home games at the AIS Arena in a bold move that will make the Bruce venue the sport's best facility in the country.
Benefits of the New Venue
The move comes amid concerns about the future of the Phillip ice skating and pool precinct, and as proponents attempt to build a new rink in Tuggeranong after a decade of delays. The AIS Arena will be a steep improvement from Phillip which has been dubbed the "Brave Cave" as the team's beloved home since 2014.
At the AIS Arena, 2700 fans can be accommodated at Brave games with allocated seating, while Phillip sells out with about 1000 in attendance and seating for only 400. Fans have been promised a high-quality game-day experience never seen before in the capital or anywhere else in Australia, and comparable to the NHL in America and Canada.
Enhanced Game Experience
Brave chief executive Stephen Campbell said, "What we will be building is to international standards and a game-changer for ice hockey in the ACT and nationally. We're really looking for that next part of our journey where we can grow the sport and provide an opportunity for Canberrans who may not have considered coming to see a game before."
He added, "It's a big jump, and it will be the first time in the history of the sport in the ACT that full professional boards and all-round glass will be in place for the safety of the players, for enhanced gameplay, and it will also improve the spectator experience."
Player and Fan Reactions
Brave players were made aware of the AIS Arena plans in a clandestine team meeting at the venue on Wednesday night. Campbell mentioned, "There was silence. They were stunned. Once it dawned on them they weren't imagining things, it's fair to say they were ecstatic."
The Brave's AIHL Goodall Cup title defense begins this Saturday in Brisbane against the Lightning, and with the AIS Arena rink yet to be completed, the team will still play its first three home games at Phillip on April 12-13 against Perth Thunder and May 10 against Newcastle Northstars. The Brave will also continue training at Phillip until the AIS Arena rink is ready.
Future Plans and Upgrades
The landmark deal was months in the making, negotiated between the Brave and the Australian Sports Commission that owns the AIS Arena, with the ice hockey team to oversee the installation of a state-of-the-art, temporary ice rink facility for use for the entire AIHL season.
Experts from Toronto in Canada, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide will travel to Canberra to assist, with the build time to take up to two weeks. Campbell expects the venue upgrade to be a major player recruitment advantage for the Brave, and he flagged his intentions for the AIS Arena to compete to host the AIHL finals series next year after the league's contract with Melbourne's O'Brien Icehouse for post-season fixtures expires.