The Himachal Pradesh government greenlights a ₹20.22 crore revival of its colonial-era heritage gem
Shimla’s century-old ice rink is set for a ₹20.22 crore makeover led by the Himachal Pradesh government.
Shimla, the former summer capital of the British, is set for a spectacular makeover of its century-old natural ice rink. A ₹20.22 crore renovation project for the colonial era skating rink in Lakkar Bazaar has been announced by the Himachal Pradesh government. Constructed in 1920, this historic landmark will soon be transformed into a cutting-edge winter sports destination and a key pillar of the state’s expanding sports tourism ecosystem.
Himachal to revamp Shimla ice-skating rink for ₹20.22-cr
— Sidharth Shukla (@sidhshuk) February 21, 2026
Asia’s oldest and largest natural ice-skating rink, it was established in 1920. Located in the Lakkar Bazar area, the rink has been a major tourist attraction for decades #himachalpradesh #shimla pic.twitter.com/JoX5E6kT1M
The renovation of Asia’s oldest natural ice skating rink aims to upgrade the facility to international standards while preserving its rich heritage character. With this transformation, Shimla, widely regarded as India’s winter sports capital, hopes to attract both national and international events, strengthening its reputation and providing a major boost to the state’s tourism sector.
Advancing Shimla’s Sports Infrastructure
The ₹20.22 crore plan includes a multi-component overhaul to modernise the experience for both athletes and visitors. ₹16.09 crore will be spent on upgrading the core rink infrastructure, while ₹2.81 crore has been allocated for a new clubhouse. Another ₹1.21 crore is earmarked for a store, souvenir shop, and amenities, and ₹11.2 lakh has been set aside for the demolition of older structures.
As part of a ₹696.47 crore tourism development package, the state had earlier approved a similar initiative in 2024 to build a year-round operational ice rink with refrigeration facilities to counter warm winters, along with rolling skates, surveillance systems, and dining halls.
Shimla’s Tourism transformation picks up swiftly
The planned state-of-the-art upgrades will strategically position the rink within the Himachal Pradesh government’s broader vision of developing the state into a tourism capital. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also announced that the Asian Development Bank has approved ₹2,360 crore for the larger tourism push.
On parallel lines, the Deputy Commissioner’s office awarded PSU, ITI Limited, a ₹72.76 crore contract earlier this year to develop a second natural ice rink at Kaza in the cold desert district of Lahaul and Spiti as stepping stones to the larger plan of action.