Ice rink at Moray Leisure Centre to close permanently

The ice rink at Moray Leisure Centre is to permanently shut due to "unaffordable" costs.

Board members at the Elgin facility have taken the difficult decision with "rising energy bills" cited as part of the reason for the move.

Moray Leisure Centre say they're working with the local authority's maintenance team to implement energy-saving measures, but these improvements will not deliver the scale of savings required.

It's due to close from August 4th.

The decision is being described as a "huge blow"

"These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary"

The centre has seen energy costs double, with the ice rink generating the least amount of income and consuming the most energy.

With skaters and curlers accounting for less than 10% of all users of Moray Leisure Centre, it has been outlined how the cost of running the Ice Rink now threatens the financial sustainability of the whole leisure centre if action is not taken swiftly.

A spokesperson for the board, 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 and 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.”

We understand a small number of staff roles are at risk of redundancy as a result of the closure of Moray’s Ice Rink, and those affected have been informed.

They are being supported to find alternative employment opportunities.

A spokesperson for the board, added: “Moray Leisure Centre is a not for profit company which must remain self-financing.

"The priority of the board is establishing long term financial security for the whole leisure centre which has the opportunity to thrive and reinvest in better facilities for the community.

"These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary, and we are continuing to work closely with a range of community partners.”

Moray Leisure Centre has stated how the closure of the Ice Rink is unrelated to the recent closure of Rainbow Castle Childcare, which followed an unsuccessful recruitment process for a new manager.

Reaction

Moray Council Leader, Cllr Kathleen Robertson said: "While this is clearly a difficult decision for them, rising energy costs are being felt across all industries and in homes around the country, so it's also an understandable measure to take to ensure financial viability for the rest of the facility.

"I appreciate this disappointing news will be devastating for the clubs who use the ice rink regularly and can confirm Moray Council will continue to work with the Board and management team to help identify and implement energy saving measures and facility efficiencies."

Moray MSP Richard Lochhead commented: “The closure of Moray’s only ice rink will come as a huge blow given the popularity of the facility with local families, clubs, and ice hockey team.

“Indeed, this morning I passed young people enjoying themselves as they skated on the ice when I was down at the Leisure Centre and now we have an announcement that it is to close.

“Moray Leisure Centre is not alone in struggling with soaring energy costs and inflation, with nearby ice facilities in Inverness and Aberdeen having to turn to crowdfunding to covering increasing costs.

"Tackling energy costs and ensuring that we benefit from the massive energy resources on our doorstep should be top of the UK Government’s agenda.

“In the meantime I intend to meet Moray Leisure Centre’s Management in the coming days and have written urgently to the Scottish Government ask if anything can be done to help and seeking advice on how we can support Moray and Scotland’s ice rinks that are such high users of energy.

"I’m also seeking clarity from Moray Council on its response due to its significant interest in the centre and the fact that none of us will want to see Moray lose its only ice rink.”