We reported previously on the latest craze to sweep the nation, ice skating. Australia is still a country gripped by the ice. The figures continue to increase as more and more youngsters book ice skating lessons, birthday parties and private functions at ice rinks across the country. One region specifically has experienced the largest and most rapid increase in ice skating activities, Melbourne, Victoria is seeing queues of up to five hundred people at any one time for its ice rinks.
The government has stepped in and said they will provide support for any families suffering negative effects of the ice skating epidemic. A limited number of families have reached out for help, with the majority claiming that children are happier, healthier and more alert albeit a little colder. The epidemic has seen a decrease in childhood obesity in the Melbourne region. Could ice skating be saving Melbourne’s children?
Local schools have been campaigning for another major ice skating rink to open in Melbourne to cope with the increase in demand for skating time. Foreign investors are looking to cash in on the craze, the USA has sent over its biggest ice rink corporations to explore new ground in the Melbourne region on which to expand. The epidemic has resulted in kids choosing to ice skate over many other previously favoured sports. Melbourne’s waste team have noticed a major spike in the disposal of surf boards, roller blades and skateboards over the last few months. This correlates with the mass rise in ice skate purchases throughout Melbourne and the rest of the country.
As ice skating continues to take over, Melbourne’s other sport facilities begin to question their futures. Three surf schools have closed down over the last six months and there have been citywide closures of previously cherished skate parks. Many of Melbourne’s ice rinks have flown in ice skating teachers from snowier countries to help face the ever-increasing amount of ice skating students. Will this epidemic continue or will the snow begin to melt?