Latest news with #skatingrink
CTV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Windsor unveils new multi-purpose City Hall Square
The City of Windsor unveiled the long-awaited renovations to City Hall Square on Sunday morning. The City of Windsor unveiled the long-awaited renovations to City Hall Square on Sunday morning. As part of its 133rd birthday celebration, dignitaries cut the ribbon and turned on the jets to cap off the $15.4 million project. 'So we had a proposition, are we going to spend $1 million to put lipstick on the pig and keep that bad ice rink going, or are we going to do something special,' Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens told the crowd. Featured in the space are outdoor seating areas, a water feature, a pavilion, and grounds that will be converted in the winter for a skating rink. WINDSOR CITY HALL SQUARE The City of Windsor unveiled the long-awaited renovations to City Hall Square on July 13, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Construction began on the redevelopment in July 2024. After delays kept skaters off the rink last winter, Dilkens said the infrastructure is in place to create the ice as soon as weather permits. 'This allows us to really celebrate our city, have a gathering spot where we can host events, have viewing parties here at City Hall and really have a gathering spot for everyone,' Dilkens said. Residents gathered on the square for the opening before receiving free cupcakes. The event continued throughout the day with live entertainment and activities. At times, concept plans for the space have been criticized for the cost and lack of green space. Those in attendance that we spoke with told CTV News they had a positive first impression of the square. WINDSOR CITY HALL SQUARE The City of Windsor unveiled the long-awaited renovations to City Hall Square on July 13, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'I really like the water. Yeah, it's nice,' said Windsor's Rebeca Nilsen. 'I think we'll come listen to the music.' For Ahmad Habib and his younger sister Talia, the area will be a new space to spend time with family and friends. 'It's a nice place, so all the people can, like, gather together, and the water really adds that, like, touch to make it all the more better,' said the elder Habib. In the future, there are aspirations and conceptual designs to continue building towards the Detroit River as part of the Civic Esplanade redevelopment. However, Dilkens maintained next steps would be decided during a future city council term. 'This is simply phase one. There will be multiple phases to come that actually connects civic Esplanade to the waterfront,' Dilkens said. 'There will be other city councils in the future, who will decide when and how to do that.'
News.com.au
25-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Callout to revive abandoned Inala skate rink
An unlikely new business is set to revive the long-abandoned site of a 1960s-era skating rink after bold redevelopment plans were shelved. The derelict Inala skate rink in Brisbane's southwest has been leased to a nursery operator, who has called on local artists to help transform the landmark building. Abandoned since about 2005, the two-storey property on Serviceton Ave remains in a state of disrepair, crumbling and vandalised, after the owners failed to proceed with plans for a new sports and retail hub. The 6056 sqm parcel last changed hands in 2017, when it was purchased for $2.25m by local lawyer Hien Thi Nguyen, her brother Manh Nguyen, Justin Bellas, and Nathan Vecchio. Ms Nguyen announced demolition would 'begin almost immediately' after council approved their development application in 2019, but instead the owners put the property back on the market last year. Ray White Commercial Retail agent Lachlan O'Keefe said multiple buyers were interested, but the owners wouldn't budge on their then-$5m asking price and it didn't sell. 'The owners' expectation on price was not aligned with what the market was prepared to pay,' Mr O'Keefe said. 'There was plenty of interest, with all different types of ideas not necessarily sticking to the DA but certainly something that would provide amenity to the surrounding area. 'Construction prices have gone up and a project like this only stacks up at a certain price for a developer, and the owners weren't prepared to accept that.' The notorious property will now become home to Planters Plus Nursery, owned by Eric Tran and relocating from nearby Durack. Mr Tran said he was 'thrilled' by the positive response from the community, who were overwhelmingly supportive of restoring the rink, which opened in 1959 and was a popular youth hub until the 1980s. 'The main building itself isn't structurally safe and we can't allow anyone in there, including ourselves,' he said. 'Unfortunately, the building has been neglected for so long, and the restoration costs are significant. 'So to prevent further damage to this iconic building that could make it beyond repair, it is definitely out of bounds.' Hembrow's $50m limbo amid bombshell split Ultimate party house up for grabs The nursery would be housed within some of the property's remaining accessible areas, which were heavily covered by graffiti. 'We agree that the original graffiti has become part of the building. However, there are some areas that need a bit more love,' Mr Tran said, inviting artists to register their interest in joining a campaign to 'makeover' the space. 'We'd love to see this building restored into something special in the future, but for now, it's your number one stop for plants and pots.' Photographer and home renovator Phi-Hung Le-Vu was helping to clear the site in preparation for the business opening mid-July. 'Ever since I was a child I've been driving past this place,' Mr Le-Vu said, filming a video tour of the premises. 'We finally got the keys to this place and it is actually so cool.'
