Tasmanian property development and construction team The Young Group is proudly going where few Aussies have gone before – the end-to-end project of providing a full-sized ice rink.
The Cambridge-based business, founded by Trent and Nakiya Young in 2008, is spearheading the delivery of a new ice rink in Hobart.
The proposed site at Cove Hill Road, Bridgewater. Picture: realcommercial.com.au
The mammoth commercial project will be the first full-size ice rink built in Australia since 2010 and follows a series of rink closures across the nation over the last few decades.
Tasmania is currently the only state or territory without an ice rink, after the 1,012 sqm block that housed the former Glenorchy Ice Rink was sold off in 2022 for $1,199,000.
Significant real estate space is needed to house a full-sized rink, where the ice alone outstrips the size of an Olympic swimming pool at 60cmx30cm. Despite this, Trent Young tells realestate.com.au he is committed to delivering the unique development.
O’Brien Ice House in Melbourne, opened in 2010, is the newest ice rink in Australia. Picture: Dave Sandford
“I am generally interested in unusual projects and doing things differently,” he said. “Since the announcement we have been working through the details for the corporate structure to develop the facility and finalising costings.”
Space in the 7.84-hectare light industrial commercial plot Point.B in the Hobart suburb of Bridgewater was assessed as suitable for the project back in March, with The Young Group now at a critical stage.
“The next step is to take costing details back to government to finalise funding, which we hope to do in coming weeks,” Mr Young said.
The Point.B development. Picture: realcommercial.com
The delivery of a new rink in Australia comes as ice sports continue to gain traction, despite limited options for recreational skaters and even fewer suitable domestic training facilities for athletes.
Australia was represented in two out of four figure skating disciplines at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy in February, with four athletes qualifying for the games.
Cultural interest in ice hockey, thanks to popular book series and TV shows like Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, are also driving a resurgence of interest. Melbourne also played host to major National Hockey League teams the LA Kings and the Arizona Coyotes at Rod Laver Arena in 2023.
Australian ice dancers Holly Harris and Jason Chan at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Picture: Tim Clayton
While acknowledging ice sports “was never on the radar” for the Point.B development, Mr Young says he has a “long-term ambition for sport and recreation activities”.
“[Ice sports] align well with the vision for the site,” he said.
“I am pleased to be able to assist in bringing an ice rink back to Tasmania.”