Ayr Ice Rink could be saved from closure with new offer

More than 10,000 people signed a petition against the closure of Ayr ice rink

An Ayrshire ice rink earmarked for closure could be saved by a bid from Scottish Curling and a community group.

Ayr Ice Rink is due to close next month due to increasing energy costs - with claims that it would cost an extra £150,000 a year to continue operating.

More than 10,000 people signed a petition against the move.

Scottish Curling and charity Glasgow Ice Centre have joined forces to buy the rink. Owner Ayrshire Curlers Ltd said the offer was being considered.

According to the Glasgow Ice Centre, the rink is home to 40 curling clubs of 550 members, two figure skating clubs and a junior ice hockey club catering for about 350 youngsters a week.

• Last-ditch effort to save ice rink from closure

• Future of Scottish ice rinks at 'critical stage'

• 'We are essentially running a massive freezer'

The consortium plans to keep the current rink open at Limekiln Road for the next five years while a new facility is built.

Curling, ice hockey, and skating clubs would continue to use it, along with the local community.

Scottish Curling's chief executive Vincent Bryson said: "We've had extensive conversations with a variety of agencies over the past weeks and months.

"We believe this collaboration with Glasgow Ice Centre is our best bid to keep Ayr Ice Rink open for the next few years and keep ice sports activities going."

Vincent Bryson said Scottish Curling had been involved in talks for months to keep the rink open

Glasgow Ice Centre was founded as a charity in 2020 to improve health and wellbeing through leisure activities and ice rink sports.

Alan Hannah, chairman of the Glasgow Ice Centre, said: "We are excited about the possibility of saving ice sports in Ayrshire, and allowing its large community of ice users to continue doing the activities that they love in their local area.

"By making an offer for Ayr Ice Rink we are acting within the remit of our charitable aims, and I hope the offer is welcomed by the rink's shareholders."

The rink is due to close its doors on September 30.

Glasgow Ice Centre said 40 curling clubs use the rink

A number of clubs and individuals joined the campaign to save it from closure.

Alex Strachan, chairman of the Ayr Bruins Junior Ice Hockey club, said: "I am delighted that Glasgow Ice Centre have offered to help in our mission to stop the closure.

"It'll make a massive difference to the 350 young people in the Ayr Bruins Junior Club who consider the ice rink a second home and safe haven."

In a joint statement, Leah McGowan, president of Ayr Figure Skating Club and Heather Black, of Kyle Figure Skating Club, said: "Figure Skating has a long and proud history in Ayr.

"We want to do everything we can to ensure figure skating can survive and thrive in Ayr and that this beautiful sport continues to be available for all the children, young people and adults that call Ayr Ice Rink home."

A spokesman for South Ayrshire Council said: "Any offer would be for Ayrshire Curlers Limited to consider as owners of Ayr Ice Rink. South Ayrshire Council would be happy to work with partners to ensure ice sports can continue in the area."