Red Bull Plans To Build 50 Ice Rinks In Austria To Improve The Sport's Development

Austrian energy drink producer Red Bull "wants to improve the conditions for hockey in Austria," according to KURIER. Austria has a total of 45 ice rinks and 72 open-air rinks, which only operate for a few months out of the year. This low number "has been considered a big problem for the development of hockey in Austria." In comparison, Switzerland has 158 ice rinks and 30 open-air rinks. Red Bull "wants to tackle this problem and plans to build 50 additional ice rinks" in Austria. Red Bull Hockey Dir Pierre Page said, "I can confirm it. However, we are still in the planning stages. I don't want to give away too much because I don't want to snub anyone." Page "did not reveal where Red Bull will build the rinks." Page: "There will be some with and some without roofs." Red Bull "will take on the full financial responsibility of the project" (KURIER, 12/3).