26/06/2023
Such sad news!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=744952360971138&id=100063691436424
We are extremely saddened to learn of the closure of Ayr Ice Rink and appreciate what difficult a decision this must have been for everyone involved in the running of the facility. Ayr hosts more than 30 clubs with some 500 members, and it is a great shame to see them lose their home ice.
The current economic situation poses unprecedented challenges to ice rinks across Scotland, as recently witnessed by the announcements by Perth and Kinross Council regarding Dewars Centre in Perth.
‘The hike in energy costs is a very serious issue and rinks also have to contend with inflation running at about ten per cent on all other costs,’ said Mike Ferguson, president of the Scottish Ice Rink Association (SIRA).
‘Extensive discussion and debate is needed at this critical time. Meetings have taken place with MSPs, MPs, councillors, governing bodies, and agencies to highlight the situation. This groundwork to scope out the scale of the problem and how to best address it is encouraging, but we need action to come from our lobbying.’
Scottish Curling continues to relentlessly make the case at national level for the benefits ice rinks offer to communities and individuals. We sincerely hope that these pleas will be acted upon by politicians and funders sooner rather than later and support for our rinks is forthcoming.
For the time being, the Scottish Curling Board have formed a working group to examine options to support Ayr Ice Rink, as well as other rinks under threat of succumbing to economic and other outside pressures.
Chair of the Board Graham Lindsay also called on the RCCC membership: ‘The continued support from curlers across Scotland is essential – keep ice booking up and support your local rink to keep them ticking over through this crisis. They need you now more than ever before.’
