The Ice Station at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World in Goodwood has come a long way since its early beginnings in 1986 as a volunteer operated arena. Today it’s a world class Olympic size ice arena and is hosting this year’s (IIHF) International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championships Mens division 3 tournaments from 11 – 17 April 2011.



The Ice Station welcomes teams from Israel, Turkey, Luxembourg, and Greece as well as our very own national team. They will all be competing for the gold medal and World Title. Two games will be played per day with Team SA's games taking place at 19h45 each day.



Tickets are available at the door or at Computicket for R30 each and R20 for U16s each.



MON 11 APRIL:

16h00: Game 1 - GRE vs LUX

19h45: Game 2 - RSA vs ISR



TUE 12 APRIL:

16h00: Game 3 - ISR vs LUX

19h45: Game 4 - TUR vs RSA



THU 14 APRIL:

16h00: Game 5 - TUR vs GRE

19h45: Game 6 - RSA vs LUX



FRI 15 APRIL:

16h00: Game 7 - LUX vs TUR

19h45: Game 8 - GRE vs ISR



SUN 17 APRIL:

16h00: Game 9 - ISR vs TUR

19h45: Game 10 - RSA vs GRE (Final game and prize giving)



“Hosting the World Championships is certainly a highlight for The Ice Station and one that reaffirms our reputation as a world class ice rink. We hope to attract a large number of spectators to all of the games and wish our SA team the best of luck. Our aim is to encourage more youngsters to get involved in the sport and see our country compete in a future winter Olympics,” comments The Ice Station management team.



The Ice Station can accommodate up to 1014 spectators in its comfortable seats. Those attending the games can expect to be captivated by the sheer talent and speed of the ice hockey players as well the thrill and excitement the game has to offer. To qualify to host an ice hockey event of this magnitude The Ice Station has to meet certain international standards required by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).



The logistical preparation for this event is enormous and can’t be done without buy-in from the staff and management of The Ice Station. These guys have tons of experience having done this before and go the extra mile to ensure that the sound, scoreboard and staff are in place for the smooth running of the event. The staff are working overtime to ensure the ice and all other logistics are ready for the opening game on Monday.



The question always asked is, “What is a Zamboni and why does it get used at regular intervals”?



Its basic process involves the machine’s sharp blade, which shaves a thin layer of ice as screw conveyors (augers) rotate above the blade to remove the shavings. The shavings are collected in a large bin, known as the snow tank. Meanwhile, jets of water clean the ice by flushing dirt and debris from the remaining grooves in the ice into a vacuum hose. Finally, a towel spreads the ice making water (usually warm water), which sprays out of holes at the back of the machine, leaving behind a smooth sheet of ice.



The Ice Station hosted its first international skating event in 2002 with the men’s world Ice Hockey Championships. It then proved its popularity as a world class venue by going onto hosting the 2005 ladies World Ice Hockey Championships. In 2008 The Ice Station hosted its first Junior Grand Prix for figure skating, Afri Skate, and continues to attract local and international events.



What makes The Ice Station so unique in South Africa is that it isn’t commercially driven but is rather run as a non profit organisation to foster the development of Ice Sport. The Ice Station encourages men and women, boys and girls to get more involved in ice hockey and figure skating.



For more information about The Ice Station and the World Ice Hockey Championships please go to www.icerink.co.za, www.wpicehockey.co.za or call 021 535 2260. Tickets are on sale now, at the door and at Computicket.