Ice rink to close due to 'spiralling energy costs'

The ice rink will close on 4 August

Elgin Ice Rink is to close due to "spiralling" energy costs, it has been announced.

The board of Moray Leisure Centre said it had concluded its ice rink was "no longer financially viable".

The board said action had to be taken as skaters and curlers accounted for less than a tenth of all users.

A "small number" of staff roles are said to be at risk of redundancy as a result of the closure, which will take effect from 4 August.

A leading industry figure previously warned many of Scotland's ice rinks faced closure due to crippling energy bills.

The board said it was a "difficult" decision to close the ice rink.

A statement said: "Moray Leisure Centre has seen its energy costs double, and the board have had to review the full operation at Moray Leisure Centre.

"The board have made a decision to close the area which generates the least amount of income and consumes the most energy, which is the ice rink."

The board said the cost of running the ice rink threatened the financial sustainability of the whole leisure centre.

'Very disappointing'

A board spokesperson said: "Despite our best efforts to secure a future for the ice rink, Moray Leisure Centre's overall operation has effectively subsidised the ice rink's operation for the past six years.

"Rising energy bills means this has now reached a level where it is unaffordable.

"We know that the closure of the ice rink will be very disappointing for those who use the facility and for the coaches and clubs who depend upon it."

Moray Council leader Kathleen Robertson said it would be "devastating" for users, but added it was an also an "understandable measure" to protect the rest of the facility.