Ayr Ice Rink closure leaves kids clubs facing uncertain future
The arena is set to close later this year due to rising energy costs
Last updated 27th Jun 2023
Ayr Ice Rink is to close its doors for good later this year - leaving local kids clubs without a home.
Last night, Ayr Curling Club announced the decision to shut down the arena due an "unprecedented" rise in energy costs.
They say they faced a rise of 110% in rates at the start of October 2022 - more than doubling the average cost of daily electricity from £419 to £880.
This means that local youth skate clubs will be looking for a new venue to play.
Crushed dreams
Ian Henderson, co vice chairman of Ayr Bruins Ice Hockey Club says its a massive blow to young people's hopes in the sport.
He said: "If the rink closes, Ayr Bruins Junior Ice Hockey club ceases to exist.
"The impact that would have on hundreds of kids would be catastrophic.
"We have kids who are also involved in the Scottish Ice Hockey set-up, so any dreams that they have of one day representing their country at ice hockey would be over.
Two other groups - Ayr Figure Skating Club and Kyle Figure Skating Club - also use the arena.
They will also now be in search of a new place to play.
Uncertainty
Treasurer of Kyle Figure Skating Club Kirsty Murray says she doesn't know what the future will hold.
She said: "It's such a sad announcement. I'm totally devastated for all the kids that spend hours training in the place.
"These kids put their heart and soul into ice skating or ice hockey.
"Us and the older clubs will be scrambling to see if we can get ice elsewhere.
"We came back from Covid and worked tirelessly to get these kids back on the ice.
"So, it's really difficult to predict what we're going to do. We'll just need to look at our options, to see if there is anybody that can help. It's just so difficult to predict just now."
Following the announcement, Scottish Curling released a statement.
It read: "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.
"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."
Councils words 'turned out to be hollow'
In Ayr Curling clubs statement of the closure, they said: "Frankly, the only way in which we would be able to get the energy costs down to a manageable level is with a new build ice rink and we have been pursuing that avenue with the Council for over a year. "Initially they led us to believe that a new ice rink for Ayr was a realistic possibility and we were able to provide them with comparative costings (Curl Aberdeen at £6.1m insurance reinstatement valuation) and the Glasgow Ice Centre feasibility study, but their words turned out to be hollow."
However, South Ayrshire Council maintain they are still looking at a new ice rink as an option.
A spokesperson for the local authority said: “It’s disappointing that Ayr Curling Club has taken this decision. We are currently exploring a number of options, including working with potential investors to construct a new ice rink in Ayr."