Ice Hockey

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (14:34): My question is to the Minister for Sport. Is the minister concerned about the viability of ice hockey here in South Australia? With your leave, sir, and that of the house I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr WHETSTONE: It has been reported yesterday that a plan for a $20 million ice arena and rockclimbing facility at Marion has been scrapped by the Pelligra Group due to increased construction costs. The Pelligra Group SA warned that Adelaide's only ice arena at Thebarton was, 'extremely well past its use by date'.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD (Reynell—Minister for Child Protection, Minister for Women and the Prevention of Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:35): Thank you to the member. I think he is the shadow standalone spokesperson for recreation, if I have that correct.

An honourable member: Not quite.

The Hon. K.A. HILDYARD: I think that's right; please tell me if I've got that wrong. What I can advise the shadow spokesperson for recreation is that we do have an ice sports facility here in South Australia, the IceArenA, as those opposite know very, very well—because they also presided over the arrangements at the IceArenA during their term of government. It is a building that is privately owned, and that is the facility used for ice sports here in South Australia.