LAST year Canberra CBD claimed numbers of “Close to 20,000 skaters”.

This year they’re claiming “Close to 19,000 skaters”.

“Close to 19,000 skaters took to ice whilst similar numbers looked on during the month, creating a hub of activity and breathing life into a wintery Garema Place,” said Jane Easthope, CEO of Canberra CBD Limited.

“On behalf of the property owners and their tenants, our overarching goal is to reinvigorate the City centre and increase visitation to the CBD. The strong patronage throughout the event shows we were successful,” Jane said.

“High costs and charges and multiple ownership are stagnating this older section in the CBD so in parts it looks tired and unloved. Interventions like this help bring new people into the CBD and encourage people out of the shops into the fresh air. The other rinks as Parramatta and Bondi are profitable because they have thousands more people living within walking distance. It is harder in Canberra because the CBD doesn’t have the residential density it needs. We are working with government to improve the CBD rather than expand it.

“It was great to see so many Canberrans and interstate travellers flock to the rink throughout the month, and spend time exploring Canberra’s CBD”.

According to the economic data from the Skate in the City surveys, we conservatively estimate that $1.3 million was contributed to surrounding traders throughout the event.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Skate in the City and are already looking forward to designing next year’s event,” Ms Easthope said.