Since the early 80s, Adelaide Ice Arena in Thebarton has been shared by casual ice skaters, professional hockey players, and synchronised skaters alike. Over the years, though, it’s become apparent that the space is in need of some love, equating in a major decline in visitorship. But if you’ve driven past in the last month, you might have noticed a fresh new coat of paint on the exterior. Well, that coat of paint represents a bid to bring the arena back to its former glory, backed by a massive passion for winter sports and fuelled by the challenge to make the scene thrive again.
The first steps for the refreshed Ice Arena are set to be a name change and a new look, and in both cases, it’s going retro. Now backed by VIP Home Services, along with government support, VIP founder Bill Vis has taken on the prodigious task of drumming up the interest the Ice Arena deserves, and keeping the future of South Australian ice-rink-based sports alive. The arena has now taken a spin on its late-80s name ‘Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice’, and will be known as ‘VIP Ice Arena at Mount Thebarton’.
As for the new look, Bill says he couldn’t ignore how tired the facility had become. “We expect families to bring their kids here, but the place didn’t feel inviting. I thought, the first thing we’ve got to do is clean it up and make it look like somewhere people want to come.”
The refreshed rink will feature a mountain-inspired theme both inside and out, creating an atmosphere like you’re skating in the snow-covered Alps. Bill said the makeover is part of a broader plan to create a safe and engaging family environment that inspires a new generation of skaters.
The revamp is a bid to increase interest and focus attention onto ice sports so that hopefully, in the near future, there will be enough backing to build and open a brand new space that caters to all uses.
“We’ve got some amazing skaters here in South Australia, figure skaters, hockey players, even Olympians, but people don’t know about them,” he said. “This is about getting the state excited about ice sports again, especially the kids.”
Bill noticed a few barriers for encouraging kids to get into ice sports. The first is the undeniably large upfront cost for sticks, skates, and other equipment, and the second is the initial nerves associated with getting out there on the ice. In response, he has introduced a come and try hockey program, allowing kids to borrow gear and experience the sport before committing to the cost of equipment. Plus, Bill says, “Once they put the gear on, the fear disappears. They just go for it.”
The new-look venue will also feature birthday party zones themed with penguins, polar bears, and seals. Themed parties will also include Frozen skating sessions for younger kids and mini hockey parties for aspiring players. Snow Play sessions are also immensely popular with toddlers.
Beyond skating, the arena is evolving into a winter-themed entertainment centre, with amusement machines, possible plans for ice bumper cars, and a climbing attraction to complement the mountain aesthetic. It’s a vision that nods to the heyday of Adelaide’s arcade-style attractions, think Magic Mountain and Downtown, the kind of fun, cult-classic spaces the city has been calling out for.
Bill says safety and accessibility are at the heart of the revamp, with safety sessions offered before getting on the ice for the first time. “It’s like when you go snow skiing,” Bill says, “They give you lessons first before you go up the black mountain. We do the same on the ice. We want to make sure everyone learns the basics before they go off on their own.”
Affordable family passes are also being introduced, giving families year-round access for an annual fee, as a way to encourage new skaters to develop their skills and come back on a regular basis. On Friday nights, Bill is planning on ramping up the ice hockey experience with beer and pizza on offer as you catch all the on-ice action.
The Ice Arena first opened in 1981 with a full-size skating rink surrounded by a speed skating track. In 1988, it was transformed into Mt Thebarton Snow and Ice, featuring what was reported to be the world’s first indoor ski slope on artificial snow. The centre later became Snowdome Adelaide before closing temporarily in 2005 due to high running costs. It reopened without the ski slope as IceArenA, before closing abruptly in 2023. Now, in its current form, getting refreshed as we speak, there’s a bright future, and a bold vision for the future of SA ice sports.
“I’m not doing this for me,” Bill said. “I’m doing it for the kids, for the future of skating in South Australia. We’ve got to create skaters for life.”
VIP Ice Arena at Mount Thebarton
Where: 23 James Congdon Dr, Thebarton
When: Open seven days
For more information, click here.
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