A R20-million redevelopment of Durban's landmark ice rink is on the cards and the developers are promising to inject life into the dilapidated beachfront property by transforming it into a leading entertainment, retail and conference centre.
The new beachfront development, which will also incorporate a hotel, is set to change the negative perception of the area and help the Golden Mile regain its lost popularity with tourists.
City fathers and tourism authorities have given the project a "thumbs-up", promising tourists a range of facilities.
The new ice rink, which is expected to be completed early next year, will boast unique features such as a moving roof to allow open-air night-sky skating and moving floors designed to transform the complex into an arena for national and international skating competitions.
The redevelopment of the ice rink is funded by foreign investors and a Durban company called Durban Ice, which won the R20-million tender for the project after it was approved by the city's executive committee.
A Durban businessman and director of the project, Sastri Ramiah, has described the initiative as part of a long-term vision of adding value to the city.
"This development is part of the city's vision to see major developments coming to fruition, such as the film studio, ICC extension, people mover, Dube trade port and soccer city," said Ramiah.
The new ice rink, which will be renamed the "Durban Ice Complex", is expected to uplift the city's beachfront and complement existing tourist attractions such as the uShaka Marine World, International Convention Centre and Suncoast Casino.
Ndabo Langa, the director of Diverse Group of Independent Thinkers, a firm of design consultants, has been given the task of designing and marketing the new ice rink.
Langa, who was involved in the design of uShaka Marine World, said the plan for the new ice rink would be submitted to the council at the end of the year for approval and the construction was expected to start soon after.
"This is going to be a versatile and multipurpose complex with retail, Internet cafe, and entertainment facilities. We will also be directly involved in the marketing of the new facility with the objective of changing the negative perception of the building and the surrounding area," said Langa.
Ramiah added that the new development would be a realisation of his dream "to make Durban an attractive destination for tourism and investment opportunities".
"Durban's potential has not come to its fruition and through projects like this that promote strategic alliances we can make things happen in the city," said Ramiah.
EThekwini Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo said the council had put out a tender for the redevelopment and upgrading of the ice rink because it was in a poor state.
"We support the idea of making the ice rink a multipurpose centre because it will complement the ICC when they are hosting conferences," said Naidoo.