12/06/2026
This month, we’re taking it back to where it all began…. 💙
Meet the woman behind so much of what makes Cockburn Ice Arena feel like home: Calandra Barrett. ❄️⛸️🏒🥌⚡
Back in the 1990s, two sisters with a love of skating made regular trips to Mirrabooka with their dad, Tom Barrett. During those long drives, Tom had a simple but ambitious idea:
Why not build an ice rink south of the river?
In December 1995, that dream became reality.
Twenty years later, as the facility faced ageing infrastructure and major upgrades, Calandra was faced with a choice. Instead of stepping back, she took a leap of faith.
"Let's go double or nothing."
That decision shaped the CIA we know today.
Two rinks. A café. A North American-style bar. Off-ice spaces for ballet, strength and conditioning. Solar-powered energy. Recycled rainwater used to create the ice. Every detail thoughtfully considered to create a facility built not just for performance, but for people. Calandra helped build something far greater than a sporting venue. She helped build a community.
In 2015, the same year the new facility opened, one of the most meaningful milestones came. Team Infusion claimed a national title and earned their place on the world stage. For Calandra, a synchronized skater herself, it was the result of over a decade of dedication coming to life.
Since then, CIA has proudly supported athletes reaching the international stage, including Jamie Woodman, Sasha King, Hana Bath, Josh Seah, Team Williams, and many more. For a country better known for sunshine than snow, that's no small achievement.
But beyond the medals and milestones, CIA has become a place where:
🏒 teammates become lifelong mates
⛸️ athletes chase world-stage dreams
☕ families reconnect away from screens
💙 and so many of you find your second home
And while many assume the arena is government-run, the reality is something much more personal.
It's a family business.
A family showing up every day, often behind the scenes, to keep this community thriving.
So, from all of us: thank you, Calandra. 💙
Thank you for your vision, resilience, and the heart you've poured into this place.
Every corner of this arena reflects years of sacrifice, late nights, unwavering commitment, and a genuine love for the community it serves. Because this was never just a business.
It's a life's work.
