Ice arena to be built at Taupo

Taupo is set to be home to a multimillion-dollar indoor ice arena.

Alpine Sports Trust aims to build the $10 million indoor arena. It would be designed to facilitate sports including ice hockey, ice skating and curling.

Trust spokesman Rob Marshall said the trust planned to run the facility as a non-profit operation.

"What we will do now is draw up concept designs and write funding proposals. As a community-based organisation, the next step is to go out and get the money," he said.

Last week, a Taupo District Council subcommittee said it would lease 11.7 hectares of council-owned land between Owen Delany Park and the AC Baths facilities to the trust.

Mr Marshall said the developed site would include an indoor ice arena as well as sports fields, landscaping and car parks.

Mr Marshall said the trust was now working on a funding plan on how the facility would be financially profitable.

The proposed arena would be developed in phases and was required to meet international standards to provide for ice skating, ice hockey, curling and tenpin bowling.

The initial stage will cost around $4m-$5m and will include the ice rink arena, landscaping and car parking.

Mr Marshall said the arena was ideally suited for Taupo as it was close to the mountains.

"It will provide a facility to recreate. It also provides an opportunity to for people to participate," he said.

"Taupo people have the ability to get in there. It will also be another attraction which will attract tourists.

"The New Zealand Ice Hockey Federation is also interested in holding international events here."

- © Fairfax NZ News