It's been 40 years in the making, but the ACT Ice Sports Federation hopes its wait will be over within two years.
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It also hopes a new ice skating complex will help attract world and national championships to Canberra after the ACT government called for expressions of interest on Thursday.
The process will be open for six weeks.
The $35 million complex, which could have a radical two-storey design to help with spectator viewing of the lower, adjacent level, will be a joint public-private enterprise.
ACT sports minister Yvette Berry wouldn't be drawn on how much funding the government would provide, other than it wouldn't be the major partner in the project.
That's where the tender process will come in - to attract business investment.
"That'll depend on the proposals that come forward, but the ACT government will make a financial contribution," Ms Berry said.
"But we don't intend to be the primary operator or owner of the facility."
ACT Ice Sports Federation president Tony Prescott said the ice rink at Phillip was 40 years old and "tired".
It's why they ice sports community of ice hockey, ice skating and broomball banded together and have been lobbying for a new facility.
There's been no decision on where the new rinks will be built - other than the government's preference was for south of Lake Burley Griffin.
Mr Prescott said there had already been interest shown in the project and he hoped they would move in to a new home within two years.
He said Phillip couldn't cope with current demand, which was why they were looking to build a two-rink facility.
"We've always said it's about getting it right rather than getting it rushed," Mr Prescott said.
"We'll work through the [expressions of interest] and the tender process.
"Then the next phase is obviously construction. But we remain hopeful for maybe 2021.
"But if we have to wait another year, we've waited 40, we'll wait another one."
Mr Prescott said the new centre would enable them to bid for international and national events - something they've struggled to given Phillip wasn't full size.
It would also open the door for the high-flying Canberra Brave to host the Australian Ice Hockey League finals in the future.
The semi-finals and grand final are held in the one location over a weekend.
Despite finishing well clear on top of the ladder, the Brave were forced to travel to Newcastle for the finals and suffered a shock loss in the semi-final.
"We want to bring national and international events [to Canberra] so we are keen to bid for national championships," Mr Prescott said.
"The Phillip rink currently is too small to bring figure skating national championships and the facility is 43 years old so it makes it difficult to bring big tournaments here.
"But with the new facility we can look at hosting one of the smaller, lower-level world championships in ice hockey."