The Alpine Sports Trust's plans for an ice rink at Taupo received a boost this week with the Taupo District Council agreeing to lease land for the project.
A council committee is recommending the council lease about a hectare on Centennial Drive, opposite Owen Delaney Park.

Alpine Trust members Scott Bason and David Brown on site.

Securing the site agreement means the trust can investigate the viability of building a purpose built ice rink and curling rink in Taupo.
'They really need to know the land is available and there is support in principle to provide the land for the Ice Rink,” says Councillor Barry Hickling.
'Now they can go away and prepare a strong business case as the next step.”
The ice rink proposal is part of a draft concept plan considering possible uses for the 12 hectare Centennial Drive site. In addition to the land for the ice rink, there is room for at least three full sized sports fields and a large car park.
'This is an exciting project and if we can bring it to fruition it will be a great asset for the Taupo community,” says trust spokesman Rob Marshall.
'It can be used for skating, ice hockey and curling all year round.”
'An Ice Rink fits in with Taupo's existing winter pursuits such as skiing and snowboarding and people who love the winter snow will be able to transfer their skills to the ice. We would have the only Ice Rink between Auckland and Christchurch so it also makes sense geographically.”
Gore, Dunedin and Central Otago Councils have all supported ice rinks in their districts, says Barry.