Dunedin's ice stadium glides toward grand opening 16 September 2004 A worker lays sand for the new Dunedin ice rink. Dunedin's new ice stadium is only a few weeks away from opening. Construction of the $2.75 million project, which will include an Olympic-sized rink, is well advanced, and most of the new equipment has already arrived and been installed. A state-of-art computer-controlled sharpener is running flat-out to prepare 1500 pairs of rental skates, and the Canadian-manufactured dasher-board system is to be assembled next week. Up to four curling sheets will be added later, but for now attention is focused on completing the rink and making sure adjacent facilities, including a kitchen, cafeteria and a "warm lounge" for those reluctant to hit the ice, are finished on time. Up to 30 tradesmen, including plumbers, electricians, carpenters and roofers, have been at work on the job, Dunedin Ice Skating Club President Warwick Johnson said yesterday. Dunedin was left without an ice rink with the closure of the Big Chill rink in 2002. Figure skaters, curlers and hockey players have all managed to keep their sports going by frequent trips to Gore, Alexandra, Queenstown and Naseby.