SKATE into the school holidays with the Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink

Manager Wayne Disbery said the Canterbury centre was Australia's oldest ice rink.

Mr Disbery said a "cool" school holiday program was planned.

"We have a great school holiday learn to skate program starting Monday, January 5," he said.

"For just $23 kids will receive skate hire, a one-hour group lesson from 10am to 11am and free public skating until 12.30pm."

Mr Disbery said the centre was the "coolest place to be this summer".

"Whilst we have general sessions for the public to come in and skate, we are primarily a training rink for ice sports athletes from figure skating, ice hockey and short track speed skating," he said.

"We have produced many high level Australian and Winter Olympic representatives over our 44 years.

"The Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink continues to look for ways where we can become increasingly energy efficient.

"We have recently undertaken improvements including installing an insulated roof, solar panels and LED lighting, and are now looking at how we can improve on our refrigeration processes."

The ice rink opened as a not-for-profit co-operative in 1971.

■ Details: 17a Phillips Avenue, Canterbury; canterburyicerink.com.au or 9789 4244.